The Quapaw Story


Many centuries ago the Quapaw Nation followed the Mississippi River into our traditional homeland in Arkansas. This is the Origin of the name "O-Gah-Pah" which can be translated as the "Downstream People".

For centuries the O-Gah-Pah (Quapaw) people lived in four large villages and many smaller communities along the Mississippi River and across modern-day Eastern Arkansas. The Quapaw people would annually plant and harvest crops and hunt buffalo according to the seasons. The Quapaw traded pottery, painted hides and other goods through an extensive trade route based along the rivers. The Quapaw people were particularly known for pottery, which was often painted; swirls being a distinctive pattern of the Quapaw people.

After removal, the Quapaw Nation came to reside in Northeastern Oklahoma, where we are still located today. The Quapaw Nation continues to take great care and pride in crafting everything we put our name on, including O-Gah-Pah Coffee.