![]() Ruthe Blalock Jones, Peoria-Shawnee-Delaware artist | |
Total population | |
---|---|
2,925[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() ![]() | |
Languages | |
English, formerly Miami-Illinois | |
Religion | |
Christianity (Roman Catholicism), traditional tribal religions | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Kaskaskia, Piankeshaw, and Wea |
The Peoria (or Peouaroua) are a Native American people. They are in the federally recognized Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. Historically, they were part of the Illinois Confederation.
Traditionally, the Peoria spoke a dialect of the Miami-Illinois language. The name "Peoria" comes from their autonym (name for themselves) in the Illinois language, peewaareewa (modern pronunciation peewaalia). It first meant "Comes carrying a pack on his back."[2] No speakers of the Peoria language are alive;[3] However, the Peoria Language (got people again who could speak some of the language, or) was revitalized in August 2022 by a 10-week online course that was made available by the tribe.[4][5]