Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea)

Joseph Brant, also known as Thayendanegea, was a prominent Mohawk leader and diplomat in the 18th century. He was born around 1743 in what is now New York State and played a key role in aligning the Mohawk and other Iroquois Confederacy nations with British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Brant aimed to defend Indigenous lands and preserve his people's way of life amid colonial encroachment. After the war, he worked to establish Mohawk settlements in Canada and advocated for Indigenous rights and sovereignty. His leadership significantly influenced Indigenous and colonial relations during a tumultuous period.