Eagle of Delight

Who was Eagle of Delight?

Eagle of Delight, also called Hayne Hudjihini in Chiwere, was one of the five wives of Chief Shaumonekusse of the Otoe tribe in the first quarter of the 19th century. They were based in present-day Nebraska.

In 1822, she accompanied her husband with an Indian delegation of chiefs to Washington D.C., where they met James Monroe, the President of the United States. She was described by those who met her as beautiful and charming. The Bureau of Indian Affairs commissioned Charles Bird King to paint portraits of Hudjihini and Shaumonekusse.

Shortly after her visit, Hudjihini died of measles, probably contracted during her travels.

When Chief Mahaska of the Ioway tribe saw Eagle of Delight's portrait in winter 1836-1837 on a visit to Washington DC, and was certain that she was his mother. However, at nearby King's gallery, a copy of Eagle of Delight's portrait hung next to the portrait of Rantchewaime, his mother, who he recognized by her fan. It turned out that Mahaska was mistaken because his mother, who had died when he was four, had been a neighbor and close friend of Eagle of Delight. The two women had often dressed in similar colors, and braided their hair the same way. The copy of Eagle of Delight's portrait had added the blue forehead spot, the mark of royalty, which helped him tell the two women apart. Arrangements were made to send copies of the paintings to Chief Mahaska and to Shaumonekusse, who were pleased to have a painting of their mother and wife respectively.