Great Native American Chiefs | Osceola · Online Exhibits (2024)

Great Native American Chiefs | Osceola · Online Exhibits (1)

Chief: Osceola (aka Billy Powell)

Born: 1804 in Maskókî or Creek village of Talisi, now known as Tallassee, Alabama near present day Tuskegee AL

Died: January 30 1838, Fort Moultrie, South Carolina

Nationality: Creek (also Scots-Irish and English)

Osceola (/ˌɒsiːˈoʊlə/ or /ˌoʊseɪˈoʊlə/). This is an anglicized form of the Creek Asi-yahola (pronounced [asːi jahoːla]); the combination of asi, the ceremonial black drink made from the yaupon holly, and yahola, meaning "shout" or "shouter".

Osceola was an influential Florida Seminole leader. For almost two years, he led a band of warriors in resistance against the United States during the second Seminole war. He was born Billy Powell, in Maskókî or Creek village of Talisi, now known as Tallassee, Alabama. He was the son of Polly Copinger (Tallassee woman) and William Powell (English trader). He was raised in Creek traditions. When Billy was born, many of the people in his village were of mixed blood Indian/English/Scottish with some African blood thrown in for good measure. The Creek nation had lived along the Tallapoosa River in present day Alabama for generations. In 1814, after the Red Stick Creek were defeated by US forces, Polly migrated to Florida along with other Creek refugees and joined the Seminole where Billy grew to adulthood and was given the name Osceola.

European-American settlers pressured the United States government to remove the Seminole from Florida, especially after the US had acquired Florida from Spain. The further encroachment from settlers led to many skirmishes between Seminoles and the military. Lands were seized and the Seminoles moved farther south into Florida. Additional pressure was laid upon the Seminoles to agree to sell their land and move to lands west of the Mississippi. In 1832, the Treaty of Payne’s Landing was signed by a few chiefs, but others do not agree to the removal. In 1835, Osceola and his warriors murdered an Indian agent who had locked him up. For the next two years, Osceola led a successful resistance which is regarded as the second Seminole War. He was captured in October 1837, when he went for peace talks. The deceit involved in his capture led to a nationwide uproar. Apparently, very ill at the time of his capture, Osceola died in prison on January 30, 1838.

Resources about Osceola:

Osceola. (n.d.) In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 27, 2017 from Wikipedia.

Wickman, Patricia R. Osceola’s Legacy. (Fire Ant Books). N.p.:U of Alabama, 2006.

Hatch, Thom. Osceola and the Great Seminole War: A Struggle for Justice and Freedom. New York: St. Martin’s, 2012

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Great Native American Chiefs | Osceola · Online Exhibits (2024)

FAQs

What is a female Indian chief called? ›

Female Indian chiefs are still known as "chiefs" because the title is gender neutral. American Indians, also known as Native Americans, do not have and did not have any restrictions that would prevent a woman from becoming chief.

What is a chief's son called? ›

Oheneba is a regal rank given to both female or male child of a king or chief. It is the equivalent of prince or princess (from Latin princeps, meaning principal citizen).

What is a Native American chief called? ›

A tribal chief, chieftain, or headman is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom.

What is a chief's wife called? ›

"chieftess, n." in Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

What is a Native American chief's daughter called? ›

The Algonquin language term forfemale evolved into the English word “squaw” and assumed new meaning as it was applied to all Native American women. Similarly, the daughter of a tribal leader; married to a British man, acquired the attributes of European royalty, becoming a “princess. ”

Who was the most feared Native American chief? ›

But as for the "deadliest" Native American, I would say Crazy Horse, and his spiritual advisor, Sitting Bull, of the Sioux Nation. Together they carried out an ambush on American cavalry, led by General Custer, that more than compensated for any adverse attack on Indians.

Do Native American tribes still have chiefs? ›

Many have adopted Constitutions, while others operate under Articles of Association or other bodies of law, and some still have traditional systems of government. The chief executive of a Tribe is generally called tribal chairperson, principal chief, governor, or president.

What are the three largest Indian tribes? ›

The following are the 10 largest Indian tribes: Navajo Nation (399,567), Cherokee Nation (292,555), Choctaw Nation (255,677), Chippewa (214,026), Sioux (207,684), Blackfeet (159,394), White Mountain Apache (15,791), Muscogee Nation (108,368), Haudenosaunee Nations (114,568), Blackfeet Nation (17,321).

How much Native American blood do you need to get benefits? ›

The Bureau of Indian Affairs uses a blood quantum definition—generally one-fourth Native American blood—and/or tribal membership to recognize an individual as Native American. However, each tribe has its own set of requirements—generally including a blood quantum—for membership (enrollment) of individuals.

Who are the tall Native American men? ›

Catlin believed the Osages “ to be the tallest race of men in North America, either red or white skins; there being few indeed of the men at their full growth, who are less than six feet in stature, and very many of them six and a half, and others seven feet.”

Can an Indian chief be a woman? ›

The first woman to be elected chief of a major American Indian tribe, she revitalized the Nation's tribal government, and advocated relentlessly for improved education, healthcare, and housing services. Under her leadership, infant mortality declined, and educational achievement rose in the Cherokee Nation.

What is the female version of chief? ›

A female form of the word chief or chieftain, meaning the leader of a tribe or clan.

What do you call a Native American princess? ›

The decision for Native American women to become an Indian Princess or squaw depends on their relationship with men. The Indian Princess acts as a symbol of the success of these colonizers.

What is an Indian lady called? ›

In most colonial texts squaw was used as a general word for Indigenous women.

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