Teganissorens facts for kids

Teganissorens (also known as Decanesora) was an important leader of the Onondaga people. He lived from about 1682 to 1718. He was a skilled speaker and a diplomat, which means he helped different groups talk to each other and make agreements. Teganissorens played a big part in the relationships between the English, the French, and the Iroquois tribes in the late 1600s and early 1700s.

A Leader for Peace

Teganissorens was very connected to the French. In 1682, he led a group of Iroquois chiefs to Montreal. Their goal was to make peace with Frontenac, who was the French governor, and his Native American allies.

A Tricky Situation

It soon became clear that the Iroquois had sent Teganissorens as a trick. While they pretended to want peace, they were actually planning to fight against the Illinois Confederation. But the French governor, Frontenac, treated Teganissorens with respect. He knew that Teganissorens did not control all the Iroquois tribes.

Another Peace Mission

In 1688, Teganissorens went on another similar mission. He helped set up the first steps for a peace treaty between Denonville, the Canadian governor, and the Iroquois leaders.

A Surprising Attack

The Hurons were not happy with the proposed treaty. As Teganissorens and his group were returning, they were attacked by Kondiaronk, a Huron chief. Some of Teganissorens's group were killed, and others were captured. Teganissorens himself was taken prisoner.

He complained that this was an attack on an ambassador and a friend of the French. But Kondiaronk told him that the French themselves had sent him. To prove he was telling the truth, Kondiaronk immediately released Teganissorens.

Staying Loyal

Even after this, Teganissorens remained loyal to his goals. He continued to help the French colony in Canada. He was considered as important as other great Native American leaders like Oureouhare and Garaconthie.

Later Life and Neutrality

In 1693, Teganissorens became a Christian. In May 1694, he arrived in Quebec with eight other leaders. Governor Frontenac welcomed him kindly and gave him many gifts.

A Plan for Fortification

Teganissorens suggested that the French rebuild and strengthen Catarocouy, which is now Kingston. He believed it should be a strong defense for the colony. Frontenac liked this idea and prepared a large group of soldiers and supplies to send there. However, he had to cancel the plan because of an order from the French court.

Working for Peace

Later, Teganissorens upset the governor by not returning to Montreal on time. He was supposed to bring news that some Iroquois tribes would submit to the French. But Teganissorens's delay was because his efforts to bring about a full peace between the Iroquois and the French were not working.

Staying Neutral

Teganissorens stayed in Onondaga. On August 10, 1700, he welcomed three French ambassadors who had come to make a treaty with the Iroquois. After this, he met with both French and English agents. He clearly stated that he intended to keep his tribe neutral, meaning they would not take sides in conflicts.

In 1703, Teganissorens heard that some Iroquois were planning with Vaudreuil, the new governor of Canada, to attack English settlements. Teganissorens went to Montreal and strongly protested this plan. He declared that his tribe would not join either side.

Since the French governor wanted the Iroquois to stay neutral, he promised Teganissorens that he would not send any groups against the English in New York. Teganissorens, in turn, promised to keep the missionaries who were in his country safe. In 1711, he even warned Vaudreuil that the English in New York, Albany, and Boston were preparing to invade Canada.