Negotiations between the Dutch and the Native American sachems were important to maintain good relations and also allowed the colonists to expand beyond New Amsterdam. The Mahicans’ land spanned a section of the upper Hudson River, and they frequently engaged in treaty-making, land negotiations and conflict with the settlers of New Netherland. The Mahicans called the Hudson River Mahicannituck and referred to themselves as Muh-he-con-neok, which means the “People of the Waters That are Never Still.” Skiwias, a Mahican sachem, participated in multiple treaties with the Dutch on behalf of his people, yet the exact nature of his role is unclear. It has been suggested that he was acting as an entrepreneur, rather than sharing his payments fairly with the Mahican people.
Etow Oh Koam, Smithsonian
Nevertheless, Skiwias’ role in negotiating with the Dutch was very beneficial for the fledgling colony, as he appeared to have maintained peaceful relations with them. He even signed the 1645 treaty which ended Kieft’s War, after two years of devastating warfare. He signed this document on the Wappingers’ behalf, an Eastern Algonquian Native American group who occupied the east bank of the Hudson River and were close allies to the Mahicans.
Skiwias became a very well-known figure among the Dutch, with records showing that he was regularly available to testify in court, participated in contract ceremonies, and was even treated by the local Dutch doctor. On July 9th, 1661, Skiwias signed over the land which is now the Town of Bethlehem, New York. In exchange, Jeremias van Rensselaer recorded that Skiwias and his wife were paid six pieces of cloth, 30 fathoms of wampum, four kettles, six hatchets, six chipaxes, six pairs of socks and 12 knives.
Learn about Skiwias and the Stadhuis