Source:CherokeeWaChi. Tribal Chief Goingsnake

From: CherokeeWaChi
Subject: Tribal Chief Goingsnake
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 23:59:56 EST

Tribal Chief Goingsnake

Going Snake

I-na-du-na-i, or in English, Going Snake was born approximately 1758 near the present Tennessee/North Carolina boundary that meets Notteley Reservoir, Georgia. He was known to be a great orator and political leader. He was a tribal town Chief.

In 1814, he was among the seven hundred Cherokees who fought against the Creeks with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, along with John Ross, Sequoyah, White Path and others.

He returned to his home, "Going Snake's Town." A Cherokee community, at that time and still today, is comprised of citizens living in homes scattered over a wider area.

In 1808, the Cherokee Nation back east was divided into eight districts. Going Snake was a representative from Amohee District and received one dollar per day while serving on the National Council. At the time, Pathkiller was the Chief, and a young man named John Ross was President of the National Committee. In 1827, Ross was elected Chief and Going Snake was elected Speaker of the Council.

When the Cherokees began their forced Removal, known as the Trail of Tears, Going Snake came with the group headed by John Benge, which left on September 28, 1838.

In early January of 1839, Going Snake arrived on Ward Branch in Indian Territory, just a few miles southwest of Cincinnati, Arkansas and about six miles north of present Westville. It was here he built his cabin.

One of his last duties was to meet at the general convention between the eastern and western Cherokee on the Illinois River in Tahlequah on July 12, 1839. By November, a new Speaker had been elected. The following year, districts were divided and named in the new Cherokee Nation, and one was named for Going Snake. When he died, he was buried in front of his cabin.