The
Erie (also
Erieehronon,
Eriechronon,
Riquéronon,
Erielhonan,
Eriez,
Nation du Chat) were a
Native American people historically living on the south shore of
Lake Erie. An
Iroquoian group, they lived in what is now western
New York, northwestern
Pennsylvania, and northern
Ohio. They were decimated in the 17th century by warfare with the neighboring
Iroquois, especially the Seneca, for helping the
Huron in the
Beaver Wars for control of the fur trade. The remaining Erie were absorbed by other Iroquoian tribes, particularly the
Seneca, and gradually lost their independent identity. Their villages were burned as a lesson to those who dare oppose the Iroquois.