Nanyehi

The Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Nancy Ward or Nanyehi - One who goes about - sits in councils and makes decisions together with other Beloved Women and chiefs. She is known to us as a peace negotiator and ambassador who believes that we should live in peaceful coexistence with people from other countries and cultures. Her first husband was Kingfisher, who died in the battle of Taliwa. Nanyehi continued the fight and led her people to victory. Her bravery was awarded with the title of "Ghigau" which made her a member of the tribal council of chiefs. The Women's Council of Clan Representatives named her their leader and she became the ambassador and negotiator for her people. From Mrs. Lydia William Bean, who Nanyehi spared when the woman was captured after an attack on Bean's settlement, she was taught a new loom weaving technique after having nursed Bean back to health. The new weaving technique changed the roles of women in the Cherokee society. The men was left to do the planting, traditionally a woman's job, when the women took on the weaving. Two dairy cows were rescued from the destroyed settlement by Mrs. Bean, who then taught Nanyehi to raise the cattle and to eat dairy products. This proved helpful as the dairy could sustain the Cherokee when hunting was bad. Chief Attakullakulla taught Nanyehi the art of diplomacy and she was much surprised when she met European diplomats as there were no women negotiators among them. Their leader was appalled, such important work should not be given to a woman! Nanyehi replied: "You know that women are always looked upon as nothing; but we are your mothers, you are our sons. Our cry is all for peace, let it continue. This peace must last forever. Let your women's sons be ours, our sons be yours. Let your women hear our words.".