Caddo - The modern Caddo people are the descendants of many different tribes that once inhabited Louisiana, southern Arkansas and coastal Texas as far west as the Brazos River. When the Texans plotted to exterminate them in 1859, they fled to Indian Territory. Many sided with the Union when the Civil War began and fled to Kansas. Today the more than 1,200 Caddo share joint control of small parcels of tribal lands in Oklahoma with the Delaware and Wichita nations around the areas of Fort Cobb and Fort El Reno. See Caddo Nation for more.

Cahokia  - A tribe of the Illinois confederacy, they were usually noted as associated with the Tamaroa tribe. Like all the confederate Illinois tribes, they were of roving habit until they and the Tamaroa were gathered into a mission settlement about the year 1698 by the Jesuit Pinet. This mission, first known as Tamaroa, but later as Cahokia, was near the site of present-day Cahokia, Illinois on the east bank of the Mississippi River, nearly opposite the present St. Louis, Missouri.  In 1721 it was the second town among the Illinois in importance. On the withdrawal of the Jesuits the tribe declined rapidly, chiefly from the demoralizing influence of the neighboring French garrison, and was nearly extinct by 1800. With the other remnant tribes of the confederacy they moved westward about 1820. The whole body is now officially consolidated under the name Peoria.

Another earlier tribe, also referred to as Cahokians, built one of the largest man-made earthen structures in America, as well as a large city. Referred to today, as the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, it was inhabited from about A.D. 700 to 1400. Built by ancient peoples known as the Mound Builders, the city's original population was thought to have been only about 1,000 until about the 11th century when it dramatically expanded. At its peak from 1,100 to 1,200 A.D., the city covered nearly six square miles and boasted a population of as many as 100,000.

Cahuilla - Uto-Aztecan peoples who arrived in southern California about 2,000-2,500 years ago. They originally ranged over the entire San Bernardino Basin, the San Jacinto Mountains, the Coachella Valley, and portions of the southern Mojave Desert. Living in independent clans of approximately 600-800 people, each clan controlled their own separate territories. These peaceful hunter-gatherers used throwing sticks, clubs, nets, spring-poled snares, and often poison-tipped arrows to provide game for their clans. The tribe did not encounter Europeans until 1774, when Spanish explorer, Juan Bautista de Anza was looking for a trade route between Mexico and California. Living far inland, the Cahuilla had little contact with Spanish soldiers or priests, nor missionaries. During the Mexican-American War, the Cahuilla  join the Californios, and in the treaty to end the war, the government promised to recognize Native American rights to inhabit certain lands. However, white settlement on Indian lands became an increasing problem after the US annexed California, especially after gold was discovered. When the California Senate refused to ratify an 1852 treaty granting the Cahuilla control of their lands, tribal leaders resorted to attacks on approaching settlers and soldiers. In the end, the U.S. government subdivided their lands into reservations in 1877. Today there are nine Southern California reservations that are acknowledged homes to bands of Cahuilla people. These are located in Imperial, Riverside and San Diego Counties.

Cajuenche - A Yuman tribe speaking the Cocopa dialect, who resided on the east bank of the Colorado River, below the mouth of the Gila River in the late 1700's. Their villages also extended into south central California. At that time, they were said to have numbered about 3,000 and were bitter enemies of the Cocopa tribe. Later, they disappeared, thought to have been due to constant wars with the Yuma.