Black Fox (Cherokee chief) facts for kids

Black Fox (born around 1746, died 1811), also known as Enola, was an important Cherokee leader. He lived during a time when the Cherokee people were often at war with American settlers. Black Fox signed an important agreement called the Holston Treaty. Later, he became a Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Early Life and Leadership

Black Fox was born around 1746. His birth name was Enola, which can also be spelled Inali or Enoli. He was related to Chickamauga Cherokee leader Dragging Canoe. Black Fox joined Dragging Canoe when he moved south to the Lower Towns. This happened during the wars between the Cherokee and the Americans.

Black Fox was known as the "Beloved Man" (or headman) of Ustanali. This was a very important Native American settlement. Today, Ustanali is located near New Town in northwestern Georgia. As the fighting with American settlers ended, Black Fox was one of the people who signed the Treaty of Holston. This treaty was signed on July 2, 1791. It was an effort to stop the fighting in the Holston River area.

Becoming a Principal Chief

In 1801, the council of chiefs from the Lower and Upper Towns chose Black Fox. He was chosen to take over from Little Turkey as the Principal Chief of the original Cherokee Nation. A Principal Chief is like the main leader or president of the Cherokee people.

Most Cherokee people at that time lived in the Lower Towns. These towns were more separated from European-American contact. People there often kept their traditional ways and language.

During his time as chief, Black Fox was the main person negotiating for the Cherokee. He talked with the United States federal government. He is known for giving up almost 7,000 square miles (18,000 km2) of land. This land is now in Tennessee and Alabama. This happened under a treaty signed on January 7, 1806. For this, he received $100 every year for the rest of his life.

Black Fox was a leader who sometimes faced disagreements. For a while, he was removed from his position. But later, he was put back as Principal Chief. This happened because of a compromise between two groups of Cherokees.

In 1807, another leader named Doublehead signed a treaty. He did this without the permission of the Cherokee council. This treaty gave all Cherokee land west and north of the Tennessee River to the United States. This land had been used by the Cherokee for hunting for hundreds of years. A separate deal set aside some land just for Doublehead and his family.

Black Fox later agreed to Doublehead's treaty. This happened after Return J. Meigs, the United States Indian Agent, promised Black Fox $1,000 in cash. He also promised Black Fox a regular payment after that. Doublehead was killed soon after this. Many Cherokee people felt he had acted against their interests.

Challenges and Reinstatement

In 1808, Black Fox and The Glass (Tagwadihi) were removed from their leadership roles. The Glass was another important chief in the Lower Towns. This removal was done by "young chiefs." These younger leaders were mostly from the Upper Towns. They were led by James Vann and Major Ridge.

The main reason for this change was that people were unhappy. They felt the older leaders from the Lower Towns had too much control over the National Council. There was also disagreement about the many land deals that had recently happened. Some leaders from the Upper Towns had mixed ancestry. Their communities also had closer ties with American settlers. The American frontier was always moving closer to Cherokee land. The Upper Town chiefs were more willing to accept these land changes. They wanted to work more closely with the Americans.

Eventually, Black Fox and The Glass were put back in charge. This was part of a compromise between the two groups. This agreement stopped the Lower Towns' councils from meeting in different places. They had been meeting in Willstown (near Fort Payne, Alabama) and Turkeytown (near Centre, Alabama). The Glass had been in charge of these meetings.

Black Fox continued as chief until 1810. At that time, the Cherokee people living in the west formed a separate group called the "Old Settlers." After this, Black Fox remained chief only for the Cherokee Nation–East.

As a main member of the National Council, Black Fox was strongly affected by Doublehead's death. In 1810, Black Fox signed a law to end the Cherokee tradition of clan revenge. He died the next year, in 1811. Pathkiller then became the Principal Chief.

Legacy

• Black Fox had an early hunting camp on Lost Creek, in White County, Tennessee. The first European-American settlers in middle Tennessee called one of the main trails there "Black Fox Trail."
• They named a large group of springs at what is now Murfreesboro, Tennessee "Black Fox Springs."
• The community of Black Fox in modern Bradley County, Tennessee and its elementary school are named after him. Local historians believe he lived in the area, but they are not sure of the exact dates.
• The historic Black Fox Crossing ford of the Clinch River is between Claiborne and Grainger counties. This spot is now covered by the waters of Norris Lake in Tennessee.
• The community of Inola, Oklahoma was named for him. This town was planned as the site for the Black Fox Nuclear Power Plant. But people in the community opposed it, and the plans were canceled.