Before Indianapolis became a bustling capital city of sports, culture, and innovation, it was a vast stretch of forest and river valley — home to Native peoples whose stories still echo through Indiana’s history.
ð️ The Meaning Behind “Indianapolis”
When Indiana became a state in 1816, lawmakers decided a new, centrally located capital was needed. By 1821, surveyors chose a site along the White River, near the heart of the state.
The new capital needed a name — and it was Judge Jeremiah Sullivan of Madison, Indiana, who suggested “Indianapolis.”
He combined “Indiana” (meaning Land of the Indians) with the Greek word “polis” (meaning city).
So, quite literally, Indianapolis means “City of the Indians.”
The name was chosen as both a nod to Indiana’s Native heritage and a symbol of the state’s growing identity.
ðŠķ The Native American Tribes of Central Indiana
Long before statehood, the land that would become Indianapolis was home to thriving Native American communities. Rivers like the White and Fall Creek provided fertile ground, food, and trade routes.
The Miami Tribe
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The Miami were one of the most powerful tribes in the Great Lakes region.
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They farmed corn, beans, and squash and established villages along Indiana’s waterways.
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The Miami people’s influence extended across much of northern and central Indiana.
The Delaware (Lenape) Tribe
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The Lenape, also known as the Delaware, originally lived along the East Coast but migrated west after losing their homelands to colonization.
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By the late 1700s, they had settled along the White River in central Indiana — including the areas that would become Anderson, Muncie, and Indianapolis.
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The Delaware built villages, farmed the land, and coexisted with early settlers for a time.
The Potawatomi and Shawnee Tribes
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The Potawatomi lived mainly in northern Indiana but frequently traveled and traded through the region.
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The Shawnee were known for their mobility and often moved between the Ohio Valley and Indiana, leaving their mark on the state’s early history.
⚖️ The Treaty of St. Mary’s and Forced Removal
In 1818, the Treaty of St. Mary’s was signed between the U.S. government and the Miami and Delaware tribes.
This treaty ceded most of central Indiana — including the land where Indianapolis now stands — to the federal government.
By the early 1820s, Native tribes were being forced to move west of the Mississippi River, paving the way for European settlement. While the treaty opened land for Indiana’s growth, it also marked a heartbreaking chapter in Native history — one of loss, displacement, and resilience.
ðŠķ Honoring Their Legacy Today
Though the tribes were removed, their legacy remains woven into Indiana’s landscape and place names:
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Delaware County — named for the Lenape people.
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Miami County — honoring the Miami Nation.
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Historical markers throughout Anderson, Peru, and Muncie share their stories.
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The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in downtown Indianapolis preserves and celebrates Native history through art, culture, and storytelling.
ðū A City Built on History
Indianapolis may now be known for racing, basketball, and booming business, but its roots run far deeper.
The name “City of the Indians” is more than a title — it’s a reminder of those who lived, hunted, and thrived here long before statehood, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Indiana’s identity.