Ohteet

Ohteet, also known as Ohets or Ohiat, are a Native American people historically residing in the Ohio River Valley region. Their ancestral lands encompassed parts of present-day Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The name "Oheet" is believed to be derived from a Delaware word meaning "people of the great river."

The Oheet were part of the larger Algonquian language family. They were known for their mobile hunter-gatherer lifestyle, relying on the abundant natural resources of the Ohio River Valley, including hunting game, fishing, and gathering wild plants. Archaeological evidence suggests they lived in wigwams and were skilled in pottery and tool making. Their social structure was likely organized into clans and bands, with leadership often vested in chiefs.

Interactions with other tribes in the region, as well as later with European colonists, significantly impacted the Oheet. They were involved in trade networks and sometimes alliances, but also faced conflict and displacement. Over time, many Oheet people were assimilated into other tribes or dispersed. Today, descendants of the Oheet are often recognized as part of larger Native American nations, and efforts are ongoing to preserve and revitalize their cultural heritage and history. The exact number of Oheet people historically is difficult to ascertain due to the nature of early historical records and their migratory patterns.