Sequoya, or Sequoyah, (1770-1843), a Cherokee Indian leader and scholar. In 12 years of work, 1809-21, he devised a syllabary (a system of writing in which characters represent the sound of syllables) for the Cherokee language, providing his tribe with a means to read and write what had been only a spoken language.
America's history begins with the Native Americans and the English settlers they encountered. Read our list of Native American leaders and heroes, including Sequoyah, Geronimo, and Crazy Horse. See more »
Geronimo, (18291909), a warrior of the Chiricahua tribe of Apache Indians. United States army troops pursued his band through desert and mountains in one of the last Indian wars. See more »
Sacajawea, Sacagawea or Sakakawea (1787-1884), a Shoshoni Indian woman who served as an interpreter and a guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition. See more »
Black Hawk (Indian name: Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak) (17671838), leader of the Sac and Fox Indians in the Black Hawk War of 1832, the last Indian war east of the Mississippi River. See more »
Langlade, Charles Michel de (1729-1801), a French-Canadian fur trader and a leader of Indian auxiliaries in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. See more »
Joseph (1840-1904), a chief of the Nez Perce Indians. His Indian name was Hin-mah-too-yahlatkekht ("Thunder Rolling Down From the Mountain"). See more »
Cochise , (1812-1874), a chief of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. One of the most famous chieftains in American Indian history, he fought white settlers and soldiers in the Southwest during the so-called Apache Wars. See more »
Crazy Horse (Indian name: Tashunca-Uitco) (1842-1877), a chief of the Oglala Sioux Indians. See more »
Logan, James or John (1725-1780), an American Indian leader. His Indian name was Tah-gah-jute. See more »
Ross, John (1790-1866), an American Indian chief. Although only one-eighth Indian, Ross was chief of the Cherokee nation from 1839 until his death. See more »
