Did Native Americans Ever Provide Sanctuary to Runaway African Slaves?

Historically, the relationship between Native Americans and African slaves has been complex and multifaceted. While some Native American tribes did offer refuge to runaway slaves, it is just as true that many tribes took slaves or even returned runaway slaves to their white captors for monetary rewards. Let's delve into this more nuanced and often overlooked aspect of American history.

Complexities of Ethnocentrism and Enslavement

Native American tribes, much like their European counterparts, were often ethnocentric and hierarchical.

While it is romantic to believe that there was a sense of kinship between Native Americans and African slaves simply because both were subjected to mistreatment and oppression by white colonizers, such an idealization is na?ve. Most Native American tribes did not hold a general sympathy or empathy for others outside of their own community. As one source notes, 'Natives were very ethnocentric. They didn’t much like anyone not if their own tribe. They had no great live for blacks just because blacks were slaves.'

If a Native American tribe accepted an African runaway, it was often because the individual could be of some utility, was considered a curiosity, or in some cases, was taken as a prisoner of war. Unfortunately, in many instances, acceptance into a tribe did not provide an escape from the horrors of slavery. Some found themselves more enslaved to another group rather than free.

Historical Accounts of Runaway Slaves and Tribes

There were notable instances where African slaves found temporary sanctuary among Native American tribes. Accounts from Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Creek, and Mohawk provide insight into these interactions.

For example, some runaways found refuge within Cherokee communities, where they were sometimes given a chance to prove their worth and gain acceptance into the tribe. This acceptance was not without conditions. If an individual believed they could contribute to the tribe or prove loyalty, they might be given a chance to be integrated. However, their status within the tribe was not guaranteed, and many still faced the harsh realities of tribal life.

In contrast, other Native American tribes captured and enslaved runaways, or even facilitated their return to white slave owners for a reward. This practice was rooted in the tribes' traditions of capturing and enslaving weaker groups. The perception was that slaves, whether African or other indigenous peoples, were at the very bottom of the social hierarchy, below the so-called civilized white colonizers.

Concluding Thoughts

It is essential to recognize that the assistance and sanctuary offered to runaway slaves by Native American tribes were often mixed with utilitarian motives and not necessarily out of a set sense of justice or humanitarianism. While there were instances of genuine refuge, these should be balanced against the more common practices of enslavement or recovery by various Native American tribes.

Tribal history is rich and varied, and accounts of how Native Americans interacted with African slaves provide a window into the complex realities of early American history. By exploring these narratives, we gain a more nuanced understanding of the social, cultural, and economic dynamics that shaped the continent during a tumultuous period of American history.