Fighting for Native America: The Southeast American Indian Response to the American Revolution

Webinar Details

The American Revolution was not simply a conflict between Britain and the American colonies. Indigenous nations throughout North America faced difficult decisions about whether to support the British, the Americans, pursue their own diplomatic interests, or defend their sovereignty independent of both powers. These choices reflected distinct political goals, cultural priorities, and strategies for survival.

This webinar explores the varied responses of Southeastern Indigenous nations during the Revolutionary era, highlighting leaders and communities whose experiences are often overlooked in traditional narratives of the Revolution. Through these histories, participants will gain a broader understanding of Native sovereignty, diplomacy, and political decision-making during a transformative period in American history. Educators will leave with approaches for helping students examine the Revolution from multiple perspectives and incorporate Indigenous voices into their study of the nation’s founding.

Instructor: Nancy Chavis, Museum Director and Curator, University of North Carolina at Pembroke