[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.]

How does an untrained person, who cannot read, does not know an alphabet, and speaks only one language, create a written language to educate his people?

Sequoyah was a self-taught linguist. In his first language attempt, he tried to use pictographs for each word and after a year realized there were just too many. So, he took a different approach. He listened to the language and began making a sketch of the distinct sounds (syllables).

Over 12-years, he came up with about 86 unique syllables in the Cherokee language, which are still the basis of their writing.

Like his uncles and mother, he was polygamous, with up to 7 mates and apparently 19 children according to his genealogical record. Recall, the tribe did not have written records, so accuracy is a challenge.

Why so many mates? His prestige, family influence, and skills made him desirable. But we have an account of one wife who expressed displeasure, because he spent his time working on the syllabary rather than his multiple trades. He gave her status, but not a lifestyle.

As we look back, accepted norms and practices must be evaluated in the framework of that time and society.

Sequoyah did not organize an alphabet, but made a syllabary where each symbol is a consonant and vowel sound. This fortuitous arrangement assured consistent pronunciation, unlike English where a letter may have multiple sounds.

With no training, or basis for identifying a symbol for the sounds, he used an English Bible to see how symbols could be shaped. Although he used the form of the letters, there appears to be no relationship to the English pronunciations of the shapes.

From his work, Cherokee appears to be the first indigenous American written language. So, all was great? Not exactly.

As with any new or unfamiliar idea, many of his countrymen did not trust the written words, thinking it akin to witchcraft.

As a science researcher, I necessarily push the envelope of conventional wisdom. I cannot relate the number of times people have alluded to my work as “magic” or other less flattering words. If I am feeling particularly tongue-in-cheek, I will respond by calling it “C.P.M.í, which is an old epithet for “cotton-picking-magic.í That eases the tension, while I explain the electro-magnetics, which virtually no one understands, but tentatively accepts.

How did Sequoyah’s work progress? Like most six-year-old intellectual sponges, his daughter, A-Yo-Ka quickly learned to read and write. Then he taught his friend and confidant brother-in-law to read. Word spread quickly that Sequoyah could show others how to decipher “talking  leave” (words on pages).

So, the politicians had to regulate and Sequoyah was brought to trial by the local chief. The details of the story vary in different accounts.

The tribal leaders separated Sequoyah and A-Yo-Ka in different rooms. He would write a message to her, telling the messenger what was on the paper. She would answer correctly, then respond similarly with a query to Dad.

This confirmed the witchcraft, until the linguist showed some how to read the symbols themselves. Sequoyah was declared not-guilty and asked to educate the warriors.

The syllabary was simple for native speakers to learn. Reportedly some learned it in three or four days, and seldom greater than a week. The system is not rule based, but is based on how people speak.

Sequoyah began research in 1809, had the syllabary by 1821, the tribe adopted the language in 1823, and in 1825, granted Sequoyah a silver medal, which he wore the rest of his life. Reverend Samuel Worcester aided to typeset the language and get a printing press by 1828, but there is more before that story.

By 1830, Cherokee literacy had passed that of the neighboring European-American settlers.

The present-day syllabary, sans-serif font, is in the attached photo. The English word “Cherokee” is translated “Tsa-la-gi” in the Native language. What symbols represent the name? (11:1 ñ 4:1 ñ 2:3) On my keyboard it is approximately: CWy. Have you seen this on road signs?

Learning to read and write the language, which they spoke as a mother tongue, was much easier than today learning it as a second language. There is no direct translation, correlation, or relationship to the dominant English language or characters. Learning is rote memory.

Sequoyah’s written dialect allowed the Cherokee people to maintain their language and culture, even though displaced and overcome by a rapidly growing, young, developing nation with a manifest destiny.

The blending of so many Native and European cultures makes Oklahoma who we are today.

We have perhaps the most historically and culturally diverse but now politically and religiously cohesive society since the Roman Empire.

Think about what a skilled, insightful, motivated person can accomplish in a relatively short time, without support or privilege in the prevailing culture. No apologies, no excuses. Are you reaching for your potential?

Excerpts from our book:

Where Indians, Outlaws & Oilmen Were Real, ISBN: 9781658834643.