Red Jacket, known as Sa-go-ye-wa-thee, was a towering figure in Seneca and American history, celebrated for his unparalleled oratory and unwavering defense of Native American rights. This revered war chief of the Wolf Clan, hailing from Western New York, left an indelible mark as a diplomat and a powerful voice for his people during a period of immense change and territorial pressure.
Born around 1750, though the exact date and location remain debated among historians, Red Jacket is believed to have first seen light either near Kanadaseaga (Old Seneca Castle, near Geneva, New York) or closer to Cayuga Lake or Keuka Lake. He grew up at Basswood Creek, a place of personal significance where his mother was buried. Adhering to the matrilineal kinship system of the Iroquois, his lineage and inheritance were traced through his maternal line. From a young age, his remarkable swiftness made him a valued courier among his people.
Early Life, Rivalries, and the American Revolution
Much of Red Jacket’s adult life unfolded in the Genesee River Valley of western New York, though he spent a brief period in Canada. Before the American Revolution, he developed a significant rivalry with the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, a tension that often manifested at the Iroquois Confederacy’s Longhouse. His personal life included a large family, some of whom, like their mother, embraced Christianity. Tragically, he lost eleven children to consumption, a profound sorrow he attributed to divine chastisement for his struggles with drunkenness.
During the American Revolution, Red Jacket sided with the British and Tories. However, his influence stemmed less from his prowess as a warrior and more from his exceptional oratorical skills, which he used to rouse the Seneca to action. Despite this, his conduct during Sullivan’s Campaign in 1779 cast him in an unfavorable light; Chief Brant, whom Red Jacket consistently annoyed, even accused him of cowardice and labeled him a traitor. It was around 1780 that the Seneca bestowed upon him the name Sagoyewatha, meaning “he keeps them awake,” a testament to his captivating public speaking.
Championing Seneca Rights Through Diplomacy and Treaties
In 1784, Red Jacket emerged as a significant voice at the crucial Treaty of Fort Stanwix in present-day Rome, NY. This treaty saw the Six Nations make territorial concessions, bringing them under the protection of the burgeoning United States. He also played a prominent role at a council near the Detroit River in 1786. As land disputes and tensions escalated between white settlers and the Native peoples of Western New York, Red Jacket consistently stood as the chief orator and staunch defender of his people’s inherent rights. His diplomatic missions frequently took him to Washington, D.C., where he was invariably received with profound respect.
The early 1790s saw Red Jacket navigating complex relationships with new settlers. Despite past conflicts, such as those during the American Revolution, the Society of Friends established peace with the wary Seneca in the Finger Lakes region. However, the Seneca continued to face hardships in other parts of Western New York. In 1792, Red Jacket led a delegation of 50 Native American leaders to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he met with President George Washington. During this historic encounter, Washington presented Red Jacket with a special “peace medal” – a large silver oval engraved with Washington shaking Red Jacket’s hand. This medal, inscribed with their names and the year 1792, became a cherished emblem that Red Jacket wore in every subsequent portrait. He also received a silver-inlaid long rifle, bearing his initials, Wolf clan emblem, and his name, Sagoyewatha.
Land Cessions and Cultural Resistance
The post-Revolutionary War era brought immense pressure for land cessions. In 1794, Red Jacket, alongside Cornplanter, Handsome Lake, and 50 other Iroquois leaders, signed the Treaty of Canandaigua. This treaty compelled the Iroquois to cede substantial lands to the United States, a consequence of Britain ceding its colonial claims without consulting its Native American allies. Many of his people had already sought resettlement in Canada following the Treaty of Paris.
A critical moment arrived in 1797 with the Treaty of Big Tree. Here, Robert Morris paid $100,000 to the Seneca for land rights west of the Genesee River. Red Jacket strenuously opposed this sale, but ultimately, he could not sway the other chiefs. Morris, notoriously, used liquor as a tool to influence the Seneca men and trinkets for the women to facilitate the transaction. During these negotiations, Chief Brant’s insulting remarks about Red Jacket nearly incited violence, only prevented by Cornplanter’s intervention.
In 1805, when a New England missionary, Mr. Cram, sought to establish mission work among the Seneca, Red Jacket delivered one of his most famous speeches, “Religion for the White Man and the Red.” In this powerful address, he eloquently argued that the Seneca had suffered greatly at the hands of Europeans and asserted his profound belief that Native American religion and culture were perfectly fitting and sufficient for his people. This speech is preserved as one of North America’s most significant examples of indigenous oratory.
Later Years, Personal Struggles, and Lasting Legacy
When the War of 1812 erupted, the Seneca, under Red Jacket’s counsel, initially declared neutrality but soon aligned with the United States, engaging in hostilities on the Canadian frontier. His advocacy for supporting the U.S. and seeking peace with the white government led some within his own community to accuse him of cowardice.
The 1820s saw a decline in Red Jacket’s prestige, largely due to his increasing struggles with alcoholism. In 1827, a council of tribal leaders even deposed him as chief. However, following a concerted effort at personal reform and the crucial intercession of the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs, he was reinstated. The growing influence of Christianity and Western civilization among the Seneca, coupled with his personal battles, created significant turmoil during his latter years, alienating some among his people.
Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha) spent his final years in Buffalo, New York, where he passed away on January 20, 1830, at approximately 80 years of age. His initial resting place was an Indian cemetery, now part of Seneca Indian Park in South Buffalo. In 1876, a plan was initiated by politician William C. Bryant to reinter his remains in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, a ceremony that took place on October 9, 1884.
His historic peace medal, held by the Buffalo History Museum since 1895, was repatriated to the Seneca Nation in May 2021 and is now housed in the Onöhsagwë:De’ Cultural Center collection. The silver-inlaid rifle gifted to him remains in private hands. Red Jacket’s legacy endures as a powerful symbol of Native American resistance, eloquence, and the enduring spirit of a people striving to preserve their heritage amidst overwhelming change. His voice, “keeping them awake,” continues to resonate through history.
