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The Omaha Indian nation were the inhabitants of a large territory to the west of the Missouri river, between the Platte and the Niabrara Rivers. It appears that the Omaha originally lived on the Atlantic coast. Over time they migrated west until, by the 17th Century, the had settled in Missouri. They were driven from that land, however, by the Dakota Indians and, by the mid 1700s, were dwelling in the area of modern day Nebraska where they encountered the white man.
The word Omaha means ‘those who go upstream’ or ‘against the current.’
The Omaha lived in tipis during the summer period when they were hunting and in earthen lodges over the winter. Tipis were made of buffalo skins and supported by cedar lodge poles. The construction of the tipi was always done by the women. Two women working together could do this job in about two hours. The earth lodges used in the wintertime were about eight feet high and featured a dome shaped roof. The roof had a hole at the top that would let in sunlight and allow ventilation for the smoke from the fire, which was always placed in the middle of the lodge.
The Omaha were hunters and planters, in accordance with the seasons. During the planting season the men would clear the fields in preparation for planting, whereupon the women would actually do the planting. Hunting was the primary responsibility of the men, with buffalo, deer, bear and small mammals being the targets. Birds and fish were also a part of the Omaha diet. The women would also gather roots and plants like ground nuts, artichokes and mushrooms. The principal crops grown were beans, maize, squash and melons. Omaha women were also skilled craftspeople. They made pots, wove baskets and made tools from bone and wood.
The Omaha were late in utilising the horse. The first Omaha brave to spot this strange beast thought he had happened upon a large elk. The animal followed him back to his village and soon the people were able to capitalise on the mild nature of the horse. It would be used extensively for both hunting the bison, going on the warpath and as a mode of haulage. The Omaha would use a travois – a couple of poles attached to a horse or dog – carry their belongings from one camp to the next.
The Omaha dressed in typical plains Indian fashion. The men wore buckskin leggings and shirts which were embroidered and fringed. On their feet they would wear moccasins. The men wore their hair long and loose. Men would also wear ear rings.
The Omaha were a musical people. From an early age children were taught to make instruments, as well as to play them. The pow wow was a highlight of the Omaha social calendar.
Lewis and Clark came across the Omaha in 1804. William Clark noted in his journal regarding the area of Nebraska in which he came across the Omaha that ‘this would make a good location for a trading and military post.’ And so it came to be. A trading post was set up by the French in 1812. But white encroachment on the land of the Omaha was stalled for a further 20 years. The Omaha people generally established friendly relations with the Mormons who trekked through their lands on the way to Utah in the 1850’s. In 1854 the Omaha tribe gave most of it’s hunting grounds in the eastern Nebraska rea to the United States Government. In return they were paid nearly $850,000.
In 1854 a reservation was established for the Omaha people in Nebraska. The majority of Omaha still live there today.
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