sachem

Sachem is a title used among Indigenous peoples of the Northeastern United States to designate the paramount chief or leader of a community or alliance. It is especially associated with Algonquian-speaking tribes such as the Wampanoag, Narragansett, Mohegan, and Pequot. The term derives from Algonquian languages; English colonists adopted it in the 17th century, sometimes spelling it sachem, sagamore, or other forms. In some communities, the title sagamore referred to a high-ranking leader or a subordinate chief, with the exact usage varying by tribe and period.

For governance, a sachem held political, diplomatic, and sometimes military authority, presiding over councils and confederations, negotiating with colonists, and overseeing lands and resources. The selection and succession of sachems were not always fixed; some offices were hereditary in certain lineages, while others were elected or confirmed by councils of elders or influential clans.

Notable sachems include Massasoit (Ousamequin) of the Wampanoag, who maintained an alliance with the Plymouth Colony; his son Metacomet, known to English speakers as King Philip, who led a major resistance in King Philip's War; and Uncas, sachem of the Mohegan, who played a key role in early colonial alliances.

The concept and term reflect the complex political organizations of Algonquian communities before and during early colonial contact. Following the colonial era, the use of sachem as a formal title declined as Indigenous governance structures adapted to new political contexts.