Red Jacket

Red Jacket (c. 1758-1830), also Sasgoyewatha, was a Seneca leader. He advocated adherence to traditional Iroquois customs and fought conversion of Native Americans to Christianity.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all, but He has made a great difference between His white and His red children. He has given us different complexions 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.

- at a council of chiefs of the Six Nations after a white missionary had addressed them (1805)

• 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 in that way. It teaches us to be thankful for all the favours we receive, to love each other, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion.

- at a council of chiefs of the Six Nations after a white missionary had addressed them (1805)

• You have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets.

- to missionaries at Seneca, New York (1805)

Ryokan