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Sequoyah

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Submitted By kerianna
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In the history of our country, a little known or recognized Indian made great contributions to his tribe and our country. His name was Sequoyah and his contributions were not recognized till later in his life. His tribe members thought him to be a regular warrior or member of the tribe but as time passed and he got older he gained great wisdom.

Who was Sequoyah? Sequoyah was an important Indian to the Cherokee tribe. His mother, Wu-teh, was a member of the Paint Club and his father, Nathanial Gist (Guess or Guest) was an English fur trader. Sequoyah was raised in the old ways of the Cherokee and became a trapper and fur trader. Sequoyah was an Indian of the Cherokee tribe. Many people thought he was full-blood Indian but actually he was half British from his father, and half Indian from his mother. His father left him to go back to

England before Sequoyah was born. He was given the name George Gist by his father. As a result of an early hunting accident, he was given the name Sequoyah which means "pig's foot" in Cherokee. After being permanently crippled, he developed a talent for craftsmanship, making silver items and blacksmithing. His handicap became both a ridicule and a God-given blessing at the same time. He was also a very good painter. He drew for fun mainly.

Sequoyah was born sometime between 1760 and 1776 near the Cherokee village of Taskigi, Tushkeegee on the Tennessee River near old Fort Loudoun in Tennessee. Sequoyah was only seven years old when he learned how to hunt. By the age of twelve he was hunting by himself leaving home for weeks at a time but always coming home with months of food with him. But, no one knew what he really saw when he went hunting. He wanted to keep it that way. When he went hunting he would usually find "White Men" en-slaving, abusing, or even killing other Indians. Sometimes the "White Men" would notice him and try to grab him. Sometimes they would catch him, sometimes they wouldn’t. When they would catch him they would make him work for them for days without rest. When he wasn’t any good to them they would set him free. That is why he would be gone for weeks or months at a time. He would have scratches, bruises and sometimes even blood. The tribe always asked if the "White Men" did it to him. He would always tell them that an animal attacked him. After about three years of the torture he told his tribe, his tribe went and killed about 25-40 White Men. They moved after that incident.

Sequoyah was a special person. He was very smart even though he had no schooling. He also was very caring and protective of his tribe. One of his tribe members came back really hurt after which the member told the tribe (including Sequoyah) what happened. Sequoyah was outraged! He left the group and went to his room and grabbed his bow and arrows then went out in search for the white men that hurt his tribe member. He found them and one by one all 53 were killed.

Sequoyahs main accomplishment was the Cherokee Alphabet. He noticed that the white men were reading words off of a piece of "wood"(paper) he looked at it and noticed that it was a way to talk to people far away. He went home later that day and started working on the Cherokee Alphabet. He started making the alphabet in 1809. At first he tried to use symbols for words but he forgot if he used a symbol or not. He gave that idea up and used a symbol for a sound. He adopted the Roman alphabet but added swirls, lines, curves, and squiggles. He made a total of 86 symbols. His family and tribe said that he was crazy. Some even said that he was practicing witchcraft. He ignored all of the accusations and continued his work. His daughter, Ayoka, was his only supporter. She wanted to be the first to learn the new way to talk. Since he used so little symbols, Ayoka learned the alphabet in only a few months. Sequoyah and Ayoka traveled to other Cherokee tribes and tried to teach them the alphabet and how to write it. Many people called it talking leaves. A few learned it. Sequoyah and Ayoka decided to take the alphabet to the Chief of Indians and have it made the Cherokee Alphabet the official alphabet for Indians. The chief didn’t believe his work was true so he made Sequoyah go into another room. While Sequoyah was in the other room, the chief told Ayoka a phrase. After she wrote the phrase down Sequoyah was allowed back into the room. Sequoyah recited the phrase word-for-word. so in 1825. The Chief made the Cherokee Alphabet the official alphabet.

After reading and learning more on the life of Sequoyah, one should wonder why the life of this great man is not taught in more depth. He was a wise and strong Indian. Indians should be proud to have him. We need to make sure that we do not lose people like Sequoyah and Ayoka. Without them, where would we be?

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