SettingsCherokee leaders
Amouskositte
Amouskositte, or Amo-sgiasite ("Dreadful Water"), of Great Tellico was the son of Moytoy of Tellico and attempted to succeed him as "Emperor of the Cherokee", a title given his father by A...
Amouskositte, or Amo-sgiasite ("Dreadful Water"), of Great Tellico was the son of Moytoy of Tellico and attempted to succeed him as "Emperor of the Cherokee", a title given his father by A...
Attakullakulla
Attakullakulla or Atagulkalu, adopted as an infant into the Cherokee tribe, became their First Beloved Man, serving from 1761 to around 1775.
Attakullakulla or Atagulkalu, adopted as an infant into the Cherokee tribe, became their First Beloved Man, serving from 1761 to around 1775.
Big Tiger
Big Tiger was Principal Chief of the council of a dissident group of Cherokee (1824–1828) who followed the teachings of Whitepath (or Nunnahitsunega), a full-blood traditionalist leade...
Big Tiger was Principal Chief of the council of a dissident group of Cherokee (1824–1828) who followed the teachings of Whitepath (or Nunnahitsunega), a full-blood traditionalist leade...
Black Fox (Cherokee chief)
Black Fox (c. 1746-1811) (also known as Enoli or Inali) was a brother-in-law of Dragging Canoe.
Black Fox (c. 1746-1811) (also known as Enoli or Inali) was a brother-in-law of Dragging Canoe.
Bob Benge
Bob Benge (c. 1762-1794), also known as "Captain Benge" or "The Bench" to frontiersmen, was one of the most feared Cherokee leaders on the frontier during the Chickamauga wars.
Bob Benge (c. 1762-1794), also known as "Captain Benge" or "The Bench" to frontiersmen, was one of the most feared Cherokee leaders on the frontier during the Chickamauga wars.
C. J. Harris
C. J. Harris (not to be confused with Cyrus Harris of the Chickasaw Nation) was born April 19, 1856.
C. J. Harris (not to be confused with Cyrus Harris of the Chickasaw Nation) was born April 19, 1856.
Chad "Corntassel" Smith
Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith was elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1999.
Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith was elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1999.
Charles R. Hicks
Charles Renatus Hicks (December 23, 1767 – January 20, 1827) was one of the most important Cherokee leaders in the early 19th century; together with James Vann and Major Ridge, he was one of a t...
Charles Renatus Hicks (December 23, 1767 – January 20, 1827) was one of the most important Cherokee leaders in the early 19th century; together with James Vann and Major Ridge, he was one of a t...
Charles Thompson (Cherokee chief)
Charles Thompson (Oochalata, ᎤᏤᎳᏔ, in Cherokee) lived near the present-day site of Lake Spavinaw, following the Trail of Tears.
Charles Thompson (Oochalata, ᎤᏤᎳᏔ, in Cherokee) lived near the present-day site of Lake Spavinaw, following the Trail of Tears.
Charlotte Hallmark
Charlotte Hallmark is the current chief of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.
Charlotte Hallmark is the current chief of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama.
Clem McSpadden
Clem Rogers McSpadden (November 9, 1925 – July 7, 2008) was a Democratic politician and a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District who served from 1973 to 1975.
Clem Rogers McSpadden (November 9, 1925 – July 7, 2008) was a Democratic politician and a U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District who served from 1973 to 1975.
David Vann (Cherokee leader)
David Vann (Georgia, January 1, 1800 - December 23, 1863) was a sub-Chief who was elected Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation in 1839, 1843, 1847 and 1851.
David Vann (Georgia, January 1, 1800 - December 23, 1863) was a sub-Chief who was elected Treasurer of the Cherokee Nation in 1839, 1843, 1847 and 1851.
Degadoga
Degadoga, or Tatoka, was an early Cherokee emigrant who succeeded as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation -West upon the departure for Spanish Texas in 1813 of the first man to hold that title...
Degadoga, or Tatoka, was an early Cherokee emigrant who succeeded as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation -West upon the departure for Spanish Texas in 1813 of the first man to hold that title...
Doublehead
Doublehead (1744–1807) or Incalatanga (Tal-tsu'tsa in Cherokee), was one of the most feared warriors of the Cherokee during the Chickamauga Wars.
Doublehead (1744–1807) or Incalatanga (Tal-tsu'tsa in Cherokee), was one of the most feared warriors of the Cherokee during the Chickamauga Wars.
Dragging Canoe
Tsiyu Gansini, "He is dragging his canoe", known to whites as Dragging Canoe, was a Cherokee war chief who led a band of Cherokee against colonists and United States settlers.
Tsiyu Gansini, "He is dragging his canoe", known to whites as Dragging Canoe, was a Cherokee war chief who led a band of Cherokee against colonists and United States settlers.
Elias Boudinot (Cherokee)
Elias Boudinot was a member of an important Cherokee family in present-day Georgia.
Elias Boudinot was a member of an important Cherokee family in present-day Georgia.
Hanging Maw
Hanging Maw, or Uskwa'li-gu'ta in Cherokee, was the leading chief of the Overhill Cherokee from 1788 to 1794.
Hanging Maw, or Uskwa'li-gu'ta in Cherokee, was the leading chief of the Overhill Cherokee from 1788 to 1794.
Hastings Shade
Hastings Shade (May 20, 1941 – February 9, 2010) was a former deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Hastings Shade (May 20, 1941 – February 9, 2010) was a former deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation.
J. B. Milam
Jesse Bartley Milam (1884–1949) was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1941 to 1949.
Jesse Bartley Milam (1884–1949) was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1941 to 1949.
Jesse Bushyhead
The Reverend Jesse Bushyhead (1804–1844) was a Cherokee religious and political leader.
The Reverend Jesse Bushyhead (1804–1844) was a Cherokee religious and political leader.
Joe Byrd (Cherokee chief)
Joe Byrd (born 1954) was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1995 to 1999.
Joe Byrd (born 1954) was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1995 to 1999.
John Brown (Cherokee chief)
John Brown, formerly judge of the Chickamauga District of the Cherokee Nation East, was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West 22 April 1839, after the Old Settlers decided to elect...
John Brown, formerly judge of the Chickamauga District of the Cherokee Nation East, was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West 22 April 1839, after the Old Settlers decided to elect...
John Jolly
John Jolly, (in Cherokee Ahuludegi); (also known as Oolooteka), was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation—West when the 1828 constitution was adopted.
John Jolly, (in Cherokee Ahuludegi); (also known as Oolooteka), was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation—West when the 1828 constitution was adopted.
John Looney (Cherokee chief)
John Looney was the last person elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West by the whole tribe, and that was his second election to that office.
John Looney was the last person elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West by the whole tribe, and that was his second election to that office.
John Ridge
John Ridge, born Skah-tle-loh-skee, was from a prominent family of the Cherokee Nation, then located in present-day Georgia.
John Ridge, born Skah-tle-loh-skee, was from a prominent family of the Cherokee Nation, then located in present-day Georgia.
John Rogers (Cherokee chief)
John Rogers was the last elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West, elected 11 October 1839 by the faction of Old Settlers who rejected the unity constitution of September 1839.
John Rogers was the last elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation West, elected 11 October 1839 by the faction of Old Settlers who rejected the unity constitution of September 1839.
John Ross (Cherokee chief)
John Ross (October 3, 1790 – August 1, 1866), also known as Guwisguwi (a mythological or rare migratory bird), was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Native American Nation from 1828–1866.
John Ross (October 3, 1790 – August 1, 1866), also known as Guwisguwi (a mythological or rare migratory bird), was the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Native American Nation from 1828–1866.
John Tyler Hammons
John Tyler Hammons (born September 4, 1988) is the 47th and current Mayor of Muskogee, a city of about 40,000 people in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.
John Tyler Hammons (born September 4, 1988) is the 47th and current Mayor of Muskogee, a city of about 40,000 people in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.
John Watts (Cherokee chief)
John Watts, or Kunokeski, also known as Young Tassel, was one of the leaders of the Chickamauga during the Chickamauga Wars, particularly after the murder of his uncle, Old Tassel, b...
John Watts, or Kunokeski, also known as Young Tassel, was one of the leaders of the Chickamauga during the Chickamauga Wars, particularly after the murder of his uncle, Old Tassel, b...
Joseph Vann
Joseph H. Vann was a Cherokee leader who owned Diamond Hill, many slaves, taverns, and steamboats that he operated on the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers.
Joseph H. Vann was a Cherokee leader who owned Diamond Hill, many slaves, taverns, and steamboats that he operated on the Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers.
Joyce Dugan
Joyce Dugan is the former Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Joyce Dugan is the former Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Junaluska
Junaluska, or Tsunu’lahun’ski in Cherokee (c.1775 - November 20, 1858), was a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who reside in and around western North Carolina.
Junaluska, or Tsunu’lahun’ski in Cherokee (c.1775 - November 20, 1858), was a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who reside in and around western North Carolina.
Kanagatucko
Kanagatucko, known in English as Old Hop, (the Cherokee translates as Stalking Turkey), was a Cherokee elder, serving briefly as the First Beloved Man of the Cherokee from 1753 unti...
Kanagatucko, known in English as Old Hop, (the Cherokee translates as Stalking Turkey), was a Cherokee elder, serving briefly as the First Beloved Man of the Cherokee from 1753 unti...
Little Turkey
Little Turkey was elected First Beloved Man by the general council of the Cherokee upon the move of the council's seat to Ustanali on the Conasauga River following the murder of Corntassel in 1788.
Little Turkey was elected First Beloved Man by the general council of the Cherokee upon the move of the council's seat to Ustanali on the Conasauga River following the murder of Corntassel in 1788.
Moytoy of Citico
Moytoy of Citico was a Cherokee leader during the time of the Anglo-Cherokee War (1759–1761) and was its chief initial instigator, in response to perceived slights by the British while campaigni...
Moytoy of Citico was a Cherokee leader during the time of the Anglo-Cherokee War (1759–1761) and was its chief initial instigator, in response to perceived slights by the British while campaigni...
Moytoy of Tellico
Moytoy of Tellico (d. 1741) was from Great Tellico.
Moytoy of Tellico (d. 1741) was from Great Tellico.
Nancy Ward
Nanyehi, known in English as Nancy Ward was a Ghigau, or Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation, which meant that she was allowed to sit in councils and to make decisions, along with the oth...
Nanyehi, known in English as Nancy Ward was a Ghigau, or Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation, which meant that she was allowed to sit in councils and to make decisions, along with the oth...
Ned Christie
Ned Christie (December 14, 1852 – November 3, 1892), also known as NeDe WaDe (Cherokee), was a Cherokee statesman.
Ned Christie (December 14, 1852 – November 3, 1892), also known as NeDe WaDe (Cherokee), was a Cherokee statesman.
Nimrod Jarrett Smith
Nimrod Jarrett Smith (1837–1893), or Tsaladihi, was the fourth Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Nimrod Jarrett Smith (1837–1893), or Tsaladihi, was the fourth Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Oconostota
Oconostota was the Warrior of Chota and the First Beloved Man of the Cherokee from 1775 to 1781.
Oconostota was the Warrior of Chota and the First Beloved Man of the Cherokee from 1775 to 1781.
Old Tassel
Utsi'dsata (or Corntassel), known to history as Old Tassel, was First Beloved Man (the equivalent of a regional Cherokee chief) of the Overhill Cherokee after 1783.
Utsi'dsata (or Corntassel), known to history as Old Tassel, was First Beloved Man (the equivalent of a regional Cherokee chief) of the Overhill Cherokee after 1783.
Ostenaco
Ostenaco (Ustanakwa, or "Big Head"), who preferred to go by the warrior's title he earned at any early age, "Mankiller" (Utsidihi), also known as Judd's Friend, who lived c. 1703 –...
Ostenaco (Ustanakwa, or "Big Head"), who preferred to go by the warrior's title he earned at any early age, "Mankiller" (Utsidihi), also known as Judd's Friend, who lived c. 1703 –...
Pathkiller
Pathkiller,, fought in the Revolutionary War for Britain, then in the Chickamauga Wars against American frontiersmen.
Pathkiller,, fought in the Revolutionary War for Britain, then in the Chickamauga Wars against American frontiersmen.
Sam Sixkiller
Sam Sixkiller (1842–December 24, 1886) was a prominent Native American leader during the American Civil War and the postbellum period.
Sam Sixkiller (1842–December 24, 1886) was a prominent Native American leader during the American Civil War and the postbellum period.
Samuel Houston Mayes
Samuel Houston Mayes was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899.
Samuel Houston Mayes was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1895 to 1899.
Savanukah
Savanukah was the Raven of Chota in the late 18th century.
Savanukah was the Raven of Chota in the late 18th century.
Stand Watie
Stand Watie was a leader of the Cherokee Nation and a brigadier general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Stand Watie was a leader of the Cherokee Nation and a brigadier general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Standing Turkey
Standing Turkey — also known as Cunne Shote or Kunagadoga — succeeded his uncle, Kanagatucko, or Old Hop, as First Beloved Man of the Cherokee upon the latter's death in 1760.
Standing Turkey — also known as Cunne Shote or Kunagadoga — succeeded his uncle, Kanagatucko, or Old Hop, as First Beloved Man of the Cherokee upon the latter's death in 1760.
Tagwadihi
Tagwadihi ("Catawba-killer"), better known as The Glass, was a leading chief of the Cherokee in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, eventually becoming the last principal chief of the ...
Tagwadihi ("Catawba-killer"), better known as The Glass, was a leading chief of the Cherokee in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, eventually becoming the last principal chief of the ...
Tahlonteeskee
Tahlonteeskee, is the name of several Cherokees and one Creek Indian during the period of the Chickamauga Wars.
Tahlonteeskee, is the name of several Cherokees and one Creek Indian during the period of the Chickamauga Wars.
Tahlonteeskee (Cherokee chief)
Tahlonteeskee was a Cherokee headman of Cayoka town, on Hiawassee Island.
Tahlonteeskee was a Cherokee headman of Cayoka town, on Hiawassee Island.
The Bowl (Cherokee chief)
The Bowl was one of the leaders of the Chickamauga Cherokee hostile to the United States of America during the Chickamauga wars, under Dragging Canoe and later John Watts.
The Bowl was one of the leaders of the Chickamauga Cherokee hostile to the United States of America during the Chickamauga wars, under Dragging Canoe and later John Watts.
Tsali
Tsali, originally of Coosawattee Town, was a noted leader of the Cherokee during two different periods of Cherokee history.
Tsali, originally of Coosawattee Town, was a noted leader of the Cherokee during two different periods of Cherokee history.
Turtle-at-Home
Turtle-at-Home, or Selukuki Wohelengh, was a Cherokee warrior and leader, brother of Dragging Canoe and one of his chief lieutenants during the Chickamauga wars.
Turtle-at-Home, or Selukuki Wohelengh, was a Cherokee warrior and leader, brother of Dragging Canoe and one of his chief lieutenants during the Chickamauga wars.
W. W. Keeler
William Wayne Keeler was born in Dalhart, Texas on April 5, 1908.
William Wayne Keeler was born in Dalhart, Texas on April 5, 1908.
Whitepath
Nunnahitsunega, or "Whitepath", was a full-blood traditionalist leader and member of the Cherokee National Council who lived at Turnip Town (Ulunyi), near the large Ellijay (Elatseyi...
Nunnahitsunega, or "Whitepath", was a full-blood traditionalist leader and member of the Cherokee National Council who lived at Turnip Town (Ulunyi), near the large Ellijay (Elatseyi...
William Charles Rogers
William Charles Rogers was born near Claremore, Oklahoma on the 13th of December 1847.
William Charles Rogers was born near Claremore, Oklahoma on the 13th of December 1847.
William Hicks (Cherokee chief)
William Abraham Hicks became Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1827.
William Abraham Hicks became Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1827.
William Holland Thomas
William Holland Thomas (February 5, 1805 – May 10, 1893) was Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (the only white man ever to be a chief of the Cherokee).
William Holland Thomas (February 5, 1805 – May 10, 1893) was Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (the only white man ever to be a chief of the Cherokee).
Yonaguska
Yonaguska, (1759-1839), who was also known as Drowning Bear (the English meaning of his name), was a leader among the Cherokee of the Lower Towns of North Carolina.
Yonaguska, (1759-1839), who was also known as Drowning Bear (the English meaning of his name), was a leader among the Cherokee of the Lower Towns of North Carolina.