by Emily Lazration

On August 6, 1777, at the dawn of the American Revolution, a warrior with two pistols drawn rode into battle against British forces at Oriskany, during the Saratoga campaign. It’s a scene that could invoke patriotism in even the most cynical American. So why is the Trump regime targeting this American hero? Because the warrior was an indigenous woman, Tyonajanegen (“Two Kettles Together”) from the Oneida Tribe. 

According to the National Park Service, Tyonajanegen and her husband, Han Yerry Tewahangarahken ("He Who Takes Up the Snow Shoe"), allied with the revolutionaries from the outset. During the Battle of Oriskany, Han Yerry was shot through the wrist, leaving him unable to reload his weapon. Tyonajanegen continued fighting, loading his gun for him throughout the six-hour battle.

Afterward, she rode back to the Mohawk Valley with news of the fight’s outcome and helped prepare the village for an influx of wounded soldiers. She later joined the fight at Saratoga, tending to her husband’s injuries and serving as a messenger for American forces. In 1781, when Fort Timmerman came under attack by 150 British and Loyalist-aligned warriors, Tyonajanegen and a small group of Oneida and settler women successfully defended the homestead, driving the attackers off.

Little else is known about her later life, but we do know she was a wife and mother to three children—Cornelius, Dolly, and Peter. She was a warrior and a hero whose contributions deserve recognition. Tyonajanegen’s story is a testament to the sacrifices made by Indigenous allies in the fight for American independence. 

History is shaped by those who tell it. We must ensure that people like Tyonajanegen are remembered. Find out more about Tyonajanegen and the role of Indigenous allies in the American Revolution here, and keep the story going. 

Further Resources

• National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov
• Oneida Indian Nation History: https://www.oneidaindiannation.com
• Library of Congress Indigenous History Archive: https://www.loc.gov

Sources:

1. National Park Service, "The Battle of Oriskany and the Oneida’s Role," https://www.nps.gov/articles/oneida-in-revolution.htm
2. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, November 1). Tyonajanegen. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tyonajanegen&oldid=1254840345
3. Revolutionary War - Oneida Indian Nation. Oneida Indian Nation, https://www.oneidaindiannation.com/revolutionarywar/ 
4. U.S. Department of the Interior, The Oneida in the American Revolution (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service, https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-oneida-nation-in-the-american-revolution.htm