During the American Revolution, Indigenous peoples across North America faced difficult decisions. Many Indigenous nations had their own governments, communities, and lands—and they were not directly part of the conflict between the American colonists and the British. But as the war spread, Indigenous groups had to decide whether to take sides, stay neutral, or defend their own interests in a conflict that was not of their making.

Divided Loyalties

Different Indigenous nations made different choices. Some sided with the British, believing that Britain would be more likely to limit colonial expansion into Indigenous lands. Others supported the American colonists, hoping to maintain relationships or protect their own communities. Still others tried to stay neutral, not wanting to get involved in a war between two foreign powers.

One of the most well-known Indigenous leaders during the war was Joseph Brant, a Mohawk military leader who supported the British. Brant believed that if the British won, they would help stop colonial settlers from taking more Indigenous land. He led raids and military campaigns on the frontier, often alongside British soldiers. His sister, Molly Brant, was also an influential figure. She used her position as a respected leader in both Indigenous and British communities to provide political support for the British side.

       

On the other hand, the Oneida Nation was one of the few Indigenous groups that supported the American colonists. The Oneida provided troops, supplies, and information to the Continental Army. Their support helped the colonists in several important battles, but it also caused tension with other Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) nations who had sided with the British.

War on Indigenous Lands

Much of the fighting between Patriots and Loyalists took place on or near Indigenous land. In the northern and western regions, frontier battles often involved Indigenous warriors fighting to protect their communities or support their allies. Many Indigenous villages were attacked or destroyed during the war, even when those communities had tried to stay out of the conflict.

One major example was the Sullivan Expedition in 1779. Led by American General John Sullivan, this campaign targeted Haudenosaunee villages that had supported the British. Sullivan’s troops burned crops, homes, and food stores, forcing many families to flee and causing long-term suffering.

       

The Impact of the War

When the war ended in 1783, the Treaty of Paris gave the new United States control over large amounts of land—but Indigenous nations were not included in the treaty. Their land was given away without their consent, and many Indigenous groups lost homes, resources, and power.

Some Indigenous allies of the British moved to Canada after the war, while others faced growing pressure as American settlers expanded westward. The Revolution marked the beginning of even greater challenges for Indigenous nations in the years ahead.

Indigenous peoples played important roles in the Revolutionary War, often fighting to protect their land, people, and way of life. The outcome of the war had lasting consequences, reshaping the future for many Indigenous communities.

Source: Indigenous Peoples and the American Revolution
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