John Buck (Onondaga politician) explained

John Buck (1893), titled Skanawati among other variants, was a leader of the Onondaga who lived near Ontario's Grand River. He was the official keeper of the wampum records of the Iroquois, sometimes described as a firekeeper. He took on the role of wampum keeper in 1843. Buck was described in a contemporary account as "a capable ruler and an able and trustworthy negotiator". Kenyon and Kenyon identify him as a "follower of Handsome Lake".[1]

Biography

John Buck was born . He was described in an obituary as being descended from "ancient Iroquois nobility".[2] Buck took on the role of wampum keeper in 1843. As the official keeper of the wampum records of the Iroquois, he was described as being a "conservative" leader who followed the traditional customs of his people closely. Although Buck did not speak the language, he gave lengthy interviews with English-speaking historians in an effort to preserve the Iroquois's culture. Scholars such as J. N. B. Hewitt drew on Buck's knowledge of his people's history.[3]

In June 1887, Buck and several other members of the Iroquois petitioned the Canadian government to repeal portions of the Franchise Act, which had offered tribes including the Onondaga the right to vote.[4] He was friends with Horatio Hale.[5] Frank Speck purchased Buck's ritual mask collection.[6] He died in 1893, aged approximately 75.[7] Buck's children sold wampum belts that he had held.[8]

Sources

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Kenyon. Ian. Kenyon. Thomas. Echo the Firekeeper: A Nineteenth Century Iroquois Site. 12. 0228-4111. February 1986. 86. 2. KEWA: Newsletter of the London Chapter, Ontario Archaeological Society.
  2. News: 1893-04-02. A Famous Indian. 3. Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express. 2021-02-07. .
  3. Book: Fenton, William Nelson. The Great Law and the Longhouse: A Political History of the Iroquois Confederacy. 1998. University of Oklahoma Press. 978-0-8061-3003-3. 74. en.
  4. Little. J. I.. 2018-11-16. Courting the First Nations Vote: Ontario's Grand River Reserve and the Electoral Franchise Act of 1885. Journal of Canadian Studies/Revue d'études canadiennes. en. 52. 2. 538–569. 10.3138/jcs.2017-0071.r1. 149763260. 1911-0251.
  5. Book: Wonderley. Anthony Wayne. Sempowski. Martha Lou. 4 December 2019. Syracuse University Press. 978-0-8156-5492-6. First. Syracuse, New York. 1124793257.
  6. Book: Bruchac. Margaret M.. Savage Kin: Indigenous Informants and American Anthropologists. Zobel. Melissa Fawcett Tantaquidgeon. 2018-04-10. University of Arizona Press. 978-0-8165-3706-8. 163. en.
  7. News: 23 March 1893. Chief John Buck: The Leader of the Six Nations Dies at His Home in Ontario. New-York Tribune. .
  8. Book: Hamilton, Michelle A.. 2008. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. 978-1-55458-004-0. Hele. Karl S.. Waterloo, Ont.. 196. Borders Within: Anthropology and the Six Nations of the Grand River. 163617254.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "John Buck (Onondaga politician)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.