John Skenandoah is undoubtedly one of the most influential and revered leaders in Native American history. Believed to have been born “Oskanondonha” around 1706, he was adopted into the Oneida wolf clan from the Conestoga-Susquehannock tribe during a time of decline and destabilization of the Susquehannock. Despite his foreign birth, which prohibited him from holding a hereditary title within the Oneida Nation, Skenandoah's exceptional talent and leadership skills allowed him to become a respected chief.

Skenandoah's leadership and vision were the primary drivers of the Oneida tribe becoming allies with the fledgling United States government during the revolutionary war. This alliance laid the foundation for the modern sovereign status that Oneida people claim to this day. Skenandoah's support of the American cause, however, came at a great cost to the Oneida people. The British targeted Oneida crops, herds, and villages, including Oneida Castle, which was the central gathering place for the nation at the time. Despite the challenges, Skenandoah remained committed to his allies and continued to provide food and military support to the American patriots.

However, in the years that followed, the United States of America forgot the sacrifices of the Oneida people and the promises they had made to preserve and protect their sovereignty. White prospectors began to see the value of Oneida land and demanded that the tribe be removed to the west along with other Native American tribes. This was especially heartbreaking for the Oneida people, considering that they had lost so much just 50 years prior in support of their allies.

Despite this, Skenandoah's legacy of resilience continues to this day through his estimated 10,000 descendants. Not only did he lay the foundation for the sovereignty of his adopted tribe, but he also played a crucial role in the survival of the tribe he was born into, the Conestoga-Susquehannock. His ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity serves as a testament to his exceptional leadership skills and his unwavering commitment to his people.

In his lifetime, Skenandoah made decisions that would impact not only his own generation but also the seven generations to come. His foresight and leadership set a powerful example for future Native American leaders to follow, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence the Oneida and Conestoga-Susquehannock people to this day. Skenandoah truly was one of the greatest chiefs to have ever lived, and his legacy will endure as a testament to his unwavering devotion to the future of his people.