10/12/2026
Happy International Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Fort Wayne is home to a very rich history of Native Americans. Fort Wayne's nickname "Three Rivers" was originally used by the Miami tribe that lived here originally. They were first found here in the 1654, but it's theorized they lived here far longer.
They built their settlement in the meeting point of the three rivers and named the area Kekionga. This area had rich soil for crops, plenty of land for cattle to thrive, and easy access to water making it a highly successful and sought after area to live. Many other tribes eventually began meeting here in the spring and the village grew to a huge size. Kekionga remained a successful, economically and culturally, Native American dwelling until all Native Americans were forcefully removed from all of Indiana in 1846.