John Buck (Onondaga politician)

John Buck (c. 1818 – 1893), titled Skanawati among other variants,[a] was a leader of the Onondaga who lived near Ontario's Grand River.

[7] As the official keeper of the wampum records of the Haudenosaunee,[5][6] he was described as being a "conservative" leader who closely followed the traditional customs of his people.

Although Buck did not speak the language, he gave lengthy interviews with English-speaking historians in an effort to preserve Haudenosaunee culture.

[10] In June 1887, Buck and several other members of the Iroquois petitioned the Canadian government to repeal portions of the Franchise Act, which had offered tribes including the Onondaga the right to vote.

[12] Frank Speck purchased Buck's ritual mask collection.