Final answer:
The influential Native American leader who urged neutrality during the American Revolution was Joseph Brant, a Mohawk leader within the Iroquois Confederacy. Despite the initial declaration of neutrality by the Confederacy, Brant went on to guide four Iroquois nations into an alliance with the British.
Step-by-step explanation:
The influential Native American leader who urged his people to remain neutral during the American Revolution was Joseph Brant, also known as Thayendanegea. Brant was a Mohawk military and political leader, who, despite his alignment with the British, was part of the Iroquois Confederacy which initially declared neutrality in the conflict. However, this neutrality was not upheld by all; Brant led four of the six Iroquois nations (Mohawk, Cayuga, Seneca, and Onondaga) to ally with the British, while the remaining two (Oneida and Tuscarora) sided with the Americans, resulting in a substantial political split within the Confederacy.
Brant's involvement further illustrated the complex dynamics of Native American alliances during the Revolution, as many indigenous communities faced internal divisions and external pressures influencing their stances in the war. Despite early intentions by both the British and Americans to maintain Native neutrality, the reality of colonial expansion and military strategy soon led to various tribes choosing sides, to protect their interests and land.