The Iroquois (VIII): The Seneca People

Location:   Western New York State
Year:   13th Century (?)

Ah-Weh-Eyu, "Pretty Flower" a Seneca woman, 1908

The Seneca People were (and still are) the largest of the Iroquois Six Nations. Originally occupying an area between the Genessee River and the Great Lakes, they were divided into two groups even within the organization of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The West Seneca lived along the Genessee (eventually moving west toward Lake Erie) and the East Seneca lived around Seneca Lake (eventually reaching south to the banks of the Allegheny River). 

Living in highly-ordered walled villages, the Seneca were devoted agriculturalists and hunters. Called "The Keepers of The Western Door" by the other Haudenosaunee, they called themselves Onondaghwya, "The People of The Great Hill." However, to avoid confusion with their brethren in the Onondaga Tribe, they assumed the name "Seneca," meaning "People of The Place of Stones." The similarity of their name with the Roman philosopher Seneca is coincidental.   

Internally, the Seneca maintained a representative democracy in which the political process was overseen by women. This system is still in existence, a system of representative democracy which predated, influenced and is similar to the political system of the United States. 


Fierce warriors, they were the traditional leaders of all Hudenosaunee war parties. They most often also acted as the Iroquois' favored diplomats with other tribes and with whites.

Red Jacket (1750-1830) was a famous Seneca orator of the Wolf Clan,  famed for such quotes as, "Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power," "The sun also shines on the wicked," and "It is another's fault if he be ungrateful; but it is mine if I do not give." A speaker of all the Iroquois languages, French and English, he acted as the Iroquois' Senior Ambassador in most dealings with Euro-Americans. He addressed the U.S. Senate in 1805.

 Red Jacket got his English name when a British officer gifted him with a uniform coat during the Revolutionary War. The Iroquois however called him Sagoyewatha meaning "He who keeps them awake."  

Seneca bands still live in New York State on several Reservations and among the general population as well. The Seneca own the upstate city of Salamanca.  They have used their remaining power and influence to diversify their holdings, including casinos, real estate, cigarette sales, resorts, broadcasting, and industry. A significant number of Seneca belong to the professions. 

Other Seneca groups live in Missouri and Ohio and Canada. Although it is difficult to estimate the total population of the Seneca People, it exceeds 50,000 in total. 

Sagoyewatha, "He Who Keeps Them Awake" or Red Jacket

Red Jacket's Address To The U.S. Senate, 1805

Friend and brother:

It was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day. He orders all things, and he has given us a fine day for our council. He has taken his garment from before the sun, and caused it to shine with brightness upon us; our eyes are opened, that we see clearly; our ears are unstopped, that we have been able to hear distinctly the words that you have spoken; for all these favors we thank the Great Spirit, and him only.

Brother, this council fire was kindled by you; it was at your request that we came together at this time; we have listened with attention to what you have said. You requested us to speak our minds freely; this gives us great joy, for we now consider that we stand upright before you, and can speak what we think; all have heard your voice, and all speak to you as one man; our minds are agreed.

Brother, you say you want an answer to your talk before you leave this place. It is right you should have one, as you are a great distance from home, and we do not wish to detain you; but we will first look back a little, and tell you what our fathers have told us, and what we have heard from the white people. 

Brother, listen to what we say. There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island. Their seats extended from the rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food. He made the bear and the beaver, and their skins served us for clothing. He had scattered them over the country, and taught us how to take them. He had caused the earth to produce corn for bread. All this he had done for his red children because he loved them. If we had any disputes about hunting grounds, they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood. But an evil day came upon us; your forefathers crossed the great waters, and landed on this island. Their numbers were small; they found friends, and not enemies; they told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat; we took pity on them, granted their request, and they sat down amongst us; we gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return. The white people had now found our country; tidings were carried back, and more came amongst us; yet we did not fear them, we took them to be friends; they called us brothers; we believed them, and gave them a larger seat. At length, their numbers had greatly increased; they wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also brought strong liquor among us; it was strong and powerful, and has slain thousands.

Brother, our seats were once large, and yours were very small; you have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us.

Brother, continue to listen. You say you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to his mind, and if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right, and we are lost; how do we know this to be true? We understand that your religion is written in a book; if it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great Spirit given it to us, and not only to us, but why did he not give to our forefathers the knowledge of that book, with the means of understanding it rightly? We only know what you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?

Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit; if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can all read the book?

Brother, we do not understand these things. We are told that your religion was given to your forefathers, and has been handed down from father to son. We also have a religion which was given to our forefathers, and has been handed down to us their children. We worship that way. It teacheth us to be thankful for all the favors we receive; to love each other, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion.

Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all; but he has made a great difference between his white and red children; he has given us a different complexion, and different customs; to you he has given the arts; to these he has not opened our eyes; we know these things to be true. Since he has made so great a difference between us in other things, why may we not conclude that he has given us a different religion according to our understanding. The Great Spirit does right; he knows what is best for his children; we are satisfied.

Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own.

Brother, you say you have not come to get our land or our money, but to enlighten our minds. I will now tell you that I have been at your meetings, and saw you collecting money from the meeting. I cannot tell what this money was intended for, but suppose it was for your minister; and if we should conform to your way of thinking, perhaps you may want some from us.

Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors; we are acquainted with them; we will wait, a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again what you have said.

Brother, you have now heard our answer to your talk, and this is all we have to say at present. As we are going to part, we will come and take you by the hand, and hope the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey, and return you safe to your friends.