Early History Haiti has a uniquely tragic history. Natural disaster, poverty, racial discord, and political instability have plagued the small history throughout it's history. Before the arrival of European, Arawak (also known as Taino) and Carib Indians inhabited the island of Hispaniola. Although researchers debate the total pre-Columbian population (estimates range from 60,000 to 600,000), the determination impact of colonization is well documented. Disease and brutal labor practices nearly annihilated the Indian population within 50 years of Columbus's arrival.