Tionontati

The Tionontati, also known as the Tobacco Nation or Petun, were an Iroquoian-speaking Indigenous people of North America. They primarily inhabited the region west of Georgian Bay in what is now Ontario, Canada, before the mid-17th century. Their name, Tionontati, translates to "people of the hills" or "mountain people," a description reflecting their homeland.

The Tionontati shared many cultural similarities with their neighbors, the Wendat (Huron) and the Five Nations of the Iroquois League. They lived in palisaded villages, practiced agriculture, cultivating corn, beans, and squash, and were skilled hunters and fishermen. Tobacco cultivation was a significant aspect of their economy and culture, giving them the name "Tobacco Nation."

Their history is deeply intertwined with the fur trade and the complex alliances and conflicts among Indigenous nations and European powers. In the mid-17th century, the Tionontati faced devastating attacks from the Seneca, one of the Five Nations of the Iroquois League, during the Beaver Wars. These conflicts led to the dispersal of many Tionontati people. Some sought refuge with the Wendat, while others eventually migrated further west, integrating with other Indigenous groups. Their distinct identity was largely absorbed into other nations due to these pressures.