Yonaguska (chief)
Yonaguska was a significant Cherokee chief and spiritual leader known for his unwavering stance against the removal of his people during the 19th century. After experiencing a near-death episode around the age of sixty, he emerged claiming to have encountered the spirit world, which led to his recognition as a prophet among the Cherokee. He strongly opposed the use of alcohol within the tribe and urged his community to resist relocation to Indian Territory, believing it would lead to further loss of land. Under his leadership, he helped establish a new home for a group of Cherokee families in western North Carolina, where they sought to maintain their independence through a treaty provision. Yonaguska's advocacy, alongside his adopted son William Holland Thomas, played a crucial role in protecting his tribe from the forced migrations associated with the Trail of Tears. Following Yonaguska's death in 1839, Thomas continued to support the community, which eventually became known as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee. His legacy reflects the resilience and determination of the Cherokee people during a challenging historical period.
Yonaguska (chief)
Category: Tribal chief
Tribal affiliation: Cherokee
Significance: Under Yonaguska’s leadership, a small band of Cherokees successfully resisted removal to Indian Territory and eventually became known as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee
At approximately sixty years of age, Yonaguska fell ill and was mourned as dead. After regaining consciousness a few days later, he claimed to have visited the spirit world and was thereafter regarded by the Cherokee as a prophet. As spiritual leader and chief, Yonaguska denounced tribal use of alcohol. He also counselled his people to resist removal to Indian Territory, claiming that if they moved the government would soon desire their new lands.
In 1829, Yonaguska led fifty-one men and their families to a new home at the juncture of the Soco Creek and the Oconaluftee River in western North Carolina. They had separated from the Cherokee Nation through a provision in a treaty that allowed them to settle on an independent reservation. There they made a claim for United States citizenship.
Through the aid of William Holland Thomas, a white lawyer and adopted son of Yonaguska, their small tribe successfully fought removal and avoided the Trail of Tears. Thomas represented his adopted tribe in Washington, using settlements won from treaty violations to purchase land for them. With Yonaguska’s death in 1839, Thomas remained the principal advocate for Yonaguska’s tribe, acting as its de facto chief. The tribe later became known as the Eastern Band of the Cherokee.