Tsali facts for kids
Tsali (ᏣᎵ) was an important leader of the Cherokee people. He played a key role during two different times in their history. When he was young, Tsali joined a group of Cherokee called the Chickamauga. He became a leader in their fight against American settlers who kept moving onto their lands.
Later, around 1812, Tsali became known as "The Prophet." He encouraged the Cherokee to join forces with the Shawnee warrior, Tecumseh. They wanted to fight together against the Americans. Years later, Tsali bravely resisted the forced removal of Native Americans from their homes in western North Carolina. Many Cherokee who felt the same way joined him. After Tsali's sacrifice, about 300 of his followers remained free. These people became the ancestors of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, who live today in the Qualla Boundary.
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Tsali's Early Years
Tsali grew up in a Cherokee village called Coosawattee Town (Kusawatiyi). From a young age, he followed the war chief Dragging Canoe. This was during the American Revolutionary War and the Cherokee–American wars, when they fought to protect their lands.
Tsali: The Prophet's Message
Before the War of 1812 and the Creek War, Tsali became well-known among the Cherokee. He was a traditionalist, meaning he wanted to keep the old ways of his people. At this time, ideas from Tenskwatawa, known as the "Shawnee Prophet," reached the Native Americans in the Southeast. Tenskwatawa was the brother of the famous Shawnee leader Tecumseh. These ideas started a movement to bring back traditional culture and religion.
Tecumseh led a large effort to unite many Native American tribes against the Americans. He visited a meeting of the Upper Muscogee and other tribes at Tukabatchee. Tecumseh urged them to work together, stop adopting American ways, and fight as one against the United States.
The Cherokee National Council sent a small group, led by Major Ridge, to listen to Tecumseh. Most people welcomed Tecumseh. However, when Tecumseh asked to speak to the Cherokee National Council, Major Ridge told him that if he entered the Cherokee Nation, he would be killed. Major Ridge saw Tecumseh as a threat to the Cherokee's peace, even though Tecumseh had fought alongside many Cherokee leaders years before.
Weeks after that meeting, a huge earthquake, the 1812 New Madrid earthquake, shook much of North America. A story quickly spread that Tecumseh had promised to stomp his foot, causing the Great Spirit's anger to shake the Earth, after the Cherokee rejected him.
At a later meeting, Tsali spoke in favor of joining Tecumseh's alliance. Major Ridge, known as a great speaker, argued against Tsali's ideas. Some of Tsali's supporters attacked Major Ridge, who was saved by a friend. Major Ridge's strong words caused Tsali to lose some support from the Council. Tsali then predicted a terrible future for the Cherokee Nation. He said the only safe place would be the Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina. He then left for those mountains.
At that time, the Cherokee National Council also decided not to help the Americans in their war against the British. The Council only got involved in the Creek War after joining with the Lower Muscogee to defeat a group called the Red Sticks.
Standing Against Forced Removal
After the Treaty of New Echota in 1835, the U.S. government began gathering the Cherokee people. They were preparing for the forced journey to what would become Indian Territory. During this time, soldiers arrived at Tsali's family farms in the Snowbird Mountains of western North Carolina. Tsali and his family, including his wife, brother, and their sons and their families, were taken by surprise. They were forced to march at bayonet point toward a government agency.
At one point, Tsali's wife stopped to care for her baby. A guard whipped her and pushed her with his bayonet, forcing her to keep moving. According to Tsali's son, Wasidana, his mother and baby were forced onto a horse. During this, "she got her foot hung in the stirrup. Then her baby dropped. It went that way, out yonder, and bust the head. And it died right then..." In response, the family fought back against the soldiers. One guard was killed, and the others were hurt or captured.
Tsali and his relatives escaped into the mountains. They hid for some time in a cave in the Great Smoky Mountains. General Winfield Scott was confused by the situation. He didn't have enough soldiers to track down Native Americans in the rough mountain area. He also wasn't sure if he wanted to. However, if Tsali remained free, it might encourage other Cherokee to resist. News of Tsali's successful escape quickly spread. Many mountain Cherokee, first dozens and then hundreds, joined him in hiding. They survived by eating roots and berries, often on the edge of starvation.
Both John Ross, the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Yonaguska, the Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, spoke out against Tsali's actions. They offered to help capture him and his warriors. Yonaguska was given this task. He asked for help from his friend Utsala, hoping to gain permission for his people to stay in North Carolina if he succeeded.
Tsali's Surrender and Death
General Scott eventually asked William Holland Thomas for help. Thomas was a white lawyer who had been adopted into the tribe when he was young. He had also helped the tribe in talks with the government about the removals. Thomas delivered a message to Tsali. If Tsali and his family surrendered to military justice, the rest of the Cherokee hiding in the mountains could remain free. Hearing this, Tsali, his brother, and his sons came down from the mountains and gave themselves up.
Tsali and two of his sons were executed. Tsali's youngest son, Wasidana, was spared. He later said that his family had been shot by a firing squad made up of Cherokee prisoners. These prisoners were forced to do it to show other Native Americans how hopeless their situation was. The rest of Tsali's large family was allowed to stay with the Eastern Band.
Tsali's Legacy
Today, Tsali Boulevard, a main road in Cherokee, North Carolina, is named in his honor. A play called Unto These Hills tells a story about Tsali. This play, written by Kermit Hunter in 1950, is performed every year at the Qualla Boundary. It keeps his story alive close to where it happened.
