My homework for this week involved drawing Native Americans. I hesitated about making/posting these because Native American cultures are already subject to frequent cultural appropriation, but in the end I decided I could turn it into an opportunity to educate myself (and, by sharing, others) about some historical figures I didn't know about. I did my best to represent everything accurately, but please correct me if I've gotten something wrong. In order, we have: - Nanyehi, a.k.a. Nancy Ward of the Cherokee ( https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Ward ): After her husband was killed in the 1755 Battle of Taliwa, she picked up his rifle and led the Cherokee to victory. Earning the title of Beloved Woman, she went on to advocate for peace with the European colonists and introduced dairy production to the Cherokee. Of the four in this list, she was only one I didn't have photographic reference for, so the portrait is based off of artwork and costume design for the musical detailing her life story. - Chief Maȟpíya Lúta/Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota ( https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cloud ). One of the most capable Native American opponents that the U.S. Army faced in its occupation of the western territories. After signing the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), he led his people in the transition to reservation life. - Chief Ógle Šá/Red Shirt of the Oglala Lakota ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Shirt_(Oglala) ). A progressive leader who promoted friendly associations with whites and education for his people. He was one of the first Wild Westers with Buffalo Bill's Wild West and a supporter of the Carlisle Native Industrial School. - Winema, a.k.a. Toby Riddle of the Modoc ( https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Toby_Riddle ). Earning the name Winema (Woman Chief) as a girl after rescuing a group of fellow children caught in cascades in their canoe, she went on to serve as an interpreter in negotiations between the Modoc tribe and the United States Army during the Modoc War. She was one of the few Native American women to be awarded a military pension by the United States for her acts of heroism. #nativeamerican #cherokee #oglalalakota #modoc #nanyehi #nancyward #winema
