Lucy Tayiah Eads facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucy Tayiah Eads
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| Cha-me | |
Lucy Tayiah Eads
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| Kaw people leader | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 4, 1888 Indian Territory |
| Died | October 11, 1961 (aged 73) Pawhuska, Oklahoma |
| Resting place | Pawhuska, Oklahoma |
| Spouses | Herbert Edward Kimber John Eads |
| Known for | First female tribal chief of the Kaw |
| Nickname | Chief Lucy |
Lucy Tayiah Eads, also known as Cha-me or Chief Lucy, was a very important leader for the Kaw people. She was born in 1888 and passed away in 1961. In 1922, she made history by becoming the first woman ever elected as the tribal chief of the Kaw Nation. She was the first chief for the Kaw people in many years, since 1908.
Contents
The Life of Lucy Tayiah Eads
Early Years and Family
Lucy Tayiah was born in 1888 near Beaver Creek in what was then called Indian Territory. Her mother was Lezitte Betrand, who was part Kaw and part Potawatomi. Her father, Little Tayiah, was Kaw. Lucy also had a brother named Emmett.
Sadly, when Lucy was about four years old, both of her parents died. Lucy and her brother became orphans. They were then adopted by Chief Washunga, who was the leader of the Kaw tribe. This adoption was a special part of their tribal traditions.
Education and Later Life
Lucy attended Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas. There, she studied to become a nurse. After her studies, she moved to New York City.
Around 1908, she married Herbert Edward Kimber. They had three daughters together before they divorced. Later, around 1913, she married John Rhea Eads. With John, she had six more children.
After her time as a tribal chief, Lucy Eads went back to working as a nurse at Haskell Indian College. She and her family later moved to Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Lucy Tayiah Eads passed away in 1961.
Chief Lucy: A Trailblazing Leader
Becoming Chief
Chief Washungah, who had adopted Lucy, died in 1908. For many years after his death, the Kaw people did not have a tribal leader. Then, in November 1922, Lucy Tayiah Eads was elected as the new chief. She was chosen by eight council members. This was a huge moment because she was the first woman to ever become a tribal chief for the Kaw Nation. During her time as chief, she was often called Chief Lucy.
Leading the Kaw Nation
As chief, Lucy worked hard to get the federal government to officially recognize the Kaw tribe. In 1924, she tried to gain this recognition. However, her efforts were not successful at that time. The government said it went against an earlier agreement called the Allotment Agreement.
In 1929, Chief Lucy represented the Kaw Nation at a very important event. She attended the Inauguration of Herbert Hoover, which is the ceremony where a new United States President officially takes office.
Chief Lucy was reelected in 1928. However, after her reelection, the Kaw government was stopped for a while. It was later brought back to life in 1936 under a new law called the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act.
