These groups, although among the first to be colonized on this continent, formed new ethnic and cultural identities and adapted. They partnered with politicians, and married traders and other free people. They fought in wars beside and against the colonists and formed alliances that would divide ancient kinships. They were disenfranchised, persecuted and all but erased by the newcomers.

Powerful and sophisticated societies became stateless diasporic refugees, coalesced into small bands where they spoke English. Many tribal identities faded, and they collectively referred to themselves as their race — Indian. After reorganizing their tribal governments in the twentieth century, they reclaimed their identities and heritage.

This is their complete journey.

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