This city was named after the early 19th-century Dakota Sioux chief, Red Wing (Shakea), or "Hupahuduta" ("Wing of the Wild Swan Dyed Red"). He was one of a succession of Mdewakanton Dakota chiefs whose name "Red Wing" came from their use of a dyed swan's wing as their symbol of rank. He was an ally of British soldiers during the War of 1812. After a vision in which he saw the Americans driving out the British, he declared neutrality. French Canadians referred to him as "L'Aile Rouge." Later he took the name "Shakea," or "The Man Who Paints Himself Red," after passing the name Red Wing on to a successor chief.