Her real name was concealed from English colonists out of a superstitious fear that, if they came to know her real name, they could harm her in some way. An account by colonist William Strachey describes Pocahontas as someone who used to play with boys and was named Pocahontas due to her playful nature. Pocahontas was her nickname, which means “playful one” or “ill-behaved child”. According to some sources, this name was given to her as she was born between the two rivers of Mattaponi and Pamunkey. She was also called Matoaka, which means “flower between two streams”.

Although Native American chiefs are very well-known, there are accomplished Native American writers, inventors, artists, politicians, etc.The actual name of Pocahontas, at the time of her birth around the year 1596, was Amonute.

Native Americans contributed to every aspect of American life.

Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins-Hopkins published a book called “Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims.” She is believed to be the first Native American woman to publish in the English language.

He led the Cherokee during the process of removal. John Ross-Ross served as chief of the Cherokee longer than any other person.He is responsible for the defeat of Custer at Little Bighorn. Sitting Bull-The Sioux chief is one of the most famous Native Americans in history.He is so respected that Detroit-area car manufacturers named a line of automobiles for him! Pontiac-An Ottowa Indian, Pontiac defended the Great Lakes region from a British invasion in the 1760s.She also married a colonist and became a celebrity in England! Pocahontas-Even though she was only a young girl, Pocahontas helped the Jamestown colony survive its first winter by bringing them food.Wilma Mankiller-Mankiller was the first woman elected to be chief of the Cherokee people, in 1985.He was also of Native American descent, and grew up on Oklahoma Indian territory. Will Rogers-Rogers is famous as a writer, actor, and social commentator.He was one of the American soldiers who raised the US flag over Iwo Jima. Ira Hayes-Hayes was a Pima Indian who served in the US Army in World War II.Stand Watie was a Cherokee leader and a brigadier general in the Confederate army. Stand Watie-When eleven Southern states seceded from the Union in 1860-61, some Cherokee supported the Confederacy.Eastman helped found the Boy Scouts of America Charles Alexander Eastman-A Sioux author, Dr.

The alphabet was very easy to learn, so most of the Cherokee became literate in a short time. Sequoyah-Sequoyah wrote the Cherokee alphabet.She also saved records and supplies when one of the expedition’s canoes capsized. Sacagawea-As a teenage girl, Sacagawea helped the Lewis and Clark expedition into the west by serving as an interpreter.He gave them food and helped them to grow their own. Squanto-Without the help of the Patuxet Indian, Squanto, the Pilgrims might not have survived their first winter in North America.Below you’ll find a short list of famous Native Americans, who each left their mark on American society. But Native Americans have also made many other contributions. There are many famous Native American chiefs. However, those tragedies and defeats have not kept them from making many achievements. Their history is marked by many tragedies. 35 History Quotes Interesting Facts About Civil War Native Americans endured many wars and the loss of their land.

Pocahontas commentator