sachem
/ˈseɪtʃəm/
noun
- A chief or leader of a Native American tribe, especially among the Algonquian peoples.
- The treaty was signed by the sachem on behalf of his people.
- The sachem addressed the council with wisdom and authority.
- In many Algonquian communities, the sachem was chosen by the elders for his experience and fairness.
- A political leader or boss, especially in a party or organization (informal, often historical).
- The union sachem negotiated the contract with the factory owners.
- The old sachem of the city's political machine still held sway behind the scenes.
- Newspapers called him the sachem of the local Democratic Party.