Today I had the privilege of giving a ride to a couple of Native Indigenas in my car. It was a meaningful experience that allowed for cultural exchange and mutual respect during our journey together.

Many Native American tribes lived in Missouri, including the Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Ioway, 

• Osage: The most powerful tribe in Missouri, the Osage controlled land that extended into present-day Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. They were known for their hunting, fighting, and business skills. 
• Missouri: The name of a Native American tribe that gave Missouri its name. 
• Otoe-Missouria: A tribe with descendants who are working to preserve their language. 
• Ioway: A tribe that passed through Missouri on their way to Indian Territory during the forced relocations of the 1830s. 
• Sac and Fox: A tribe that fought with the Missouri and Little Osage in the late 18th centur

Other tribes that lived in Missouri include the Delaware, Kickapoo, Shawnee, Illini-Peoria, and Kanza.The population of Native Americans in Missouri was estimated to be around 20,000 when the state became a state in 1821. However, by the 1830s, most Native Americans had been forced out of Missouri. Many tribes passed through the state on their way to Indian Territory, including the Cherokees on the Trail of Tears

Missouri has no federally-recognized reservations today, but there are cultural centers and other resources that provide information about the state's Native American history: 

• Missouri American Indian Cultural Center: A center with exhibits, audio guides, and a video presentation about the history of Native Americans in Missouri 
• State Historical Society of Missouri: A resource for learning about Native Americans in Missouri