De facto ambassador between the Cherokee and Euro-Americans

In the Cherokee society of her day, Nanyehi (One who goes about) was known in the English language as Nancy Ward. There are seven clans of the Cherokee: Wolf, Bird, Deer, Long Hair, Blue, Wild Potato, and Red Paint. Members are considered as brothers and sisters and may not marry within their clans. Because the society is matrilineal, clan membership is attained through the mother, and women are the traditional heads of households.

According to the SmithDRays Nancy Ward page, she was born in Chota, de facto capital of the Cherokee Nation and a member of the Wolf Clan. Her mother was Tame Doe, but sources differ regarding the identify of her father and her full-blood status. At age 14, Nancy married Tsu-la (Kingfisher) and gave birth to a daughter and a son.

In 1755, during the Battle of Taliwa against the Creeks, Nancy fought at her husband's side. When Tsu-la was killed, Nancy took up his rifle and led her people to victory.

Because of her courage in battle, she was granted the title of War Woman, and later, Ghigau-Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nation. As such, she was allowed to sit in councils, make decisions, and grant pardons.

She married again, this time Bryant Ward, a South Carolina colonist and trader and gave birth to a second daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ward.

During the Revolutionary War, Dragging Canoe, Nancy Ward's cousin and his supporters, planned attacks on area Whites. But Nancy Ward believed that the Cherokee should live peaceably with the Euro-Americans, so she sent messengers to warn them ahead of time.

For her deed, she was named "Patriot for the Daughters of the American Revolution," and of the "Society of the Sons of the American Revolution."

In 1776, when the Cherokee attacked the Fort Watauga settlement on the Watauga River and took Lydia Russell Bean, a Euro-American woman captive, Nancy used her power as ghigau to spare Bean's life. Ward also took Bean into her own home and cared for her wounds. Her kindness was greatly repaid: Upon her recovery, Bean taught Ward a new weaving technique that transformed the way the Cherokee made garments.

With two of her rescued dairy cows, Lydia Bean also taught Ward to raise cattle, churn butter, and make cheese-skills that helped to sustain the Cherokee during the times when wild game was scarce.

Through Bean's actions and Ward's willingness to learn new skills, the Cherokee evolved from a communal agrarian society into one that resembled that of their European counterparts. But as the need for labor grew, Ward, however, was also among the Cherokee who adopted the practice of owning slaves.

When the sale of Cherokee lands to Euro-Americans became an issue, Ward and other members of the Women's Council raised objections, but they were largely ignored.

In 1781, as the De facto ambassador between the Cherokee and Euro-Americans, Nancy Ward met with the American delegation to discuss their settlements along the Little Pigeon River. It was further proof of the high regard in which her people held her. In 1819 when the Cherokee enacted a constitution, Ward supported it.

Nancy Ward is an important figure in Cherokee history. Her actions, tribal status, and the respect in which she was regarded by both the Cherokee and the Euro-Americans made her an early example of women's voices in American politics.

Sources:

Blue Ridge Country magazine, Nancy Ward SmithDRays Nancy Ward page

Hampton, David, Association of the Descendents of Nancy Ward, Biography of Nancy Ward, Wikipedia

A version of this article appears in 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World by KB Schaller, Winner, 2014 International Book Award, Women's Issues Category.

KB Schaller(Cherokee/Seminole heritage) is a journalist, researcher, novelist, and illustrator. Her books are available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and other bookstores. She lives in South Florida. Email: soaring-eagles@msn.com; http://www.KBSchaller.com