When the pioneers travelled west, they ran into many Indians. Some of the Indians were friendly and didn't harm the pioneers. Some of the Indians were mean. They would attack the pioneers and try to steal things that the pioneers had, even people.

There were many different tribes of Indians. Some of these tribes were part of the Illinois Confederacy: Cahokia, Kaskasia, Michigamea, Moingwena, Peoria, and Tamaroa. Other Illinois indians are Chippewa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Sauk, Fox, Winnebago, Kickapoo, Mascouten, Piankashaw, and Shawnee.

Some foods that Indians grew were corn, squash, and beans. Other crops included avocados, cacao, cassava, coco, cotton, guavas, peanuts, peppers, potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes.

The most common weapon was the bow and arrow. They put poison on the arrowheads. They also used spears and clubs.

Most Indians lived in teepees. Others lived in wigwams. Indians who didn't move around a lot built more permanent homes.

Indians made their clothes out of animal skins and furs. They tanned deer skin called buckskin. That was the most common. They used bison hides, rabbit fur, and bird feathers, too. Men wore a breech cloth. It is a long narrow piece of cloth that goes down the front and back. They also used cotton, wool, bark, and reeds.