"Beloved Woman of the Cherokee - Nanyehi"

Oil on Canvas (18" x 24")
The “Ghi-ga-u” - also known as “Beloved Woman” or “War Woman” was an honor and office bestowed upon Cherokee women of exceptional bravery and honor. Although, no known portraits any of these women are known to exist, Nanyehi (Nancy Ward) (born approx. 1738) was one such woman to earn the title after a battle of Taliwa with the Muskogee Creek Indians. It was during that battle that her husband Kingfisher was slain, afterwhich, she took up his rifle and rallied the Cherokee to victory. As the Ghi-ga-u, she headed the Council of Women with a seat and vote on the Council of Chiefs, Nancy Ward had supreme pardoning power and was an emissary of peace.

Awards:

People's Choice Award - 2010 Competitive Art Show, Five Civilized Museum, Muskogee, OK

2nd Place - 2010 Competitive Art Show, Five Civilized Museum, Muskogee, OK

1st Place - 2010 Trail Of Tears Art Show, Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, OK

Best of Show - 2009 Cherokee Holiday Art Show, Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, OK

Best of Show - 2009 Southeastern Art Show - Chickasaw Nation, Ada, OK