History of the Quinipissa Tribe

History of the Quinipissa Tribe

Quinipissa: Meaning "Those who see" in the languages of the Choctaw and Chickasaw, perhaps designating "outposts" or"Scouts".

The Quinipissa tribe was discovered by French explorer LaSalle in 1682 a few miles above the present site of New Orleans but on the opposite side of the river. The Indians received him with pugnacious flights of arrows, and on his return, the Indians used peacemaking overtures as a mask for a treacherous but futile attack upon his force.

Four years later, Tonti (later to be Mayor of New Orleans) made a peace treaty with the tribe. In 1699 d'Iberville searched for them in vain. He later learned that the tribe was identical to the Mugulasha then living with the Bayou Goula about 20 leagues (about 60 miles) above their former settlement.

According to Sauvolle, however, the Quinipissa were not identical with the Mugulasha but had united with them. In any case, there can be no doubt that the Chief of the Quinipissa in 1682 and 1686 was the same man as the Chief of the Mugulasha in 1699. In 1699 Louisiana became a French Colony with d'Iberville as Governor.

In May 1700, shortly after d'Iberville had visited them for a second time, the Mugulasha were attacked and almost completely destroyed by their fellow townsmen, the Bayou Goula. The destruction was probably not as complete as the French would have liked us to believe, but we do not hear of the Quinipissa afterward.

Quinipissa Population--400-500

Killed in 1700 massacre--200

Population figures are approximate.