C. T. Suddeth

I present you with the Cherokee Pocahontas. Nanyehi (1738-1822) watched her husband fall in the Battle of Taliwa, picked up his gun, led the Cherokees to victory. She was appointed Beloved Woman, the last woman chief. During her life, she rescued captives, strove to maintain peace, found homes for orphans, taught Cherokees dairy farming, and fought the Trail of Tears. She remarried, became Nancy Ward. At her burial, a white light arose, took a swan’s form, flew towards Echota, the old Cherokee capital.

Read Full Post »

Yesterday I posted about Captain Bench, the great Cherokee chief. I see this as one of his warriors spying on the Kentucky militia along the Kentucky/Virginia border. Captain Bench says: ᎠᎪᏘᎭ – a-go-ti-ha – he sees it (the militia). Ambush time!

Read Full Post »

Known as the red-haired Cherokee, Bob Benge (1762-1794) had a Cherokee mother and Scottish father. He was half-brother to Sequoyah. Raised with the Cherokee, Bob raided from southern Tennessee to the Ohio River in Kentucky. Frontier mothers used to say: You youngins be good or Captain Bench will get you. (photo of Benge’s Gap, Virginia, where he died)

Read Full Post »

The Cherokee National Holiday commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Nation
Constitution in 1839. It is held in Tahlequah Oklahoma Labor Day weekend—this year will be a virtual celebration. This includes powwow dancing and a gift shop. Visit the official site:[no charge but register] https://cherokeenationbusinesses.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a7f0855ea3954aa3b694e3ce2&id=1f0b34c1e4&e=d1702f0a76

Read Full Post »

One of my critique partners, Krista Harrington, found a copy of this in the Boone County, Kentucky library. Anidohi ᎠᏂᏙᎯ means Messenger in Cherokee. I am not sure what mythological significance the bird has.

Read Full Post »

Cherokee signs are in use on the North Carolina Reservation and in the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. English provided to keep the yonega out of trouble.

Read Full Post »

Stone Man, Nun-yu-nu-wi, ᏅᏳᏄᏫ, was a giant Cherokee cannibal. His skin was made of stone, and arrows bounced off him. He had one weakness—he couldn’t bear the sight of a menstruating woman.

One day, 7 menstruating women blocked his path, and made him weak. An adawe, ᎠᏓᏪ medicine man captured him and hurled him onto a bonfire. As Nun-yu-nu-wi burned he told them how to use plants for healing. Next, he taught them hunting songs and dances. When his body burned to ashes, they found 2 gifts: War paint, wadi, ᏩᏗ when painted on a wearer’s face would make prayers come true. And they found an ulunsuti, ᎤᎸᏑᏘ magic crystal used to tell the future.

Read Full Post »