Junaluska

Who was Junaluska?

Junaluska, or Tsunu’lahun’ski in Cherokee, was a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who reside in and around western North Carolina.

Junaluska was born around 1775, approximately 15 miles south of Franklin, North Carolina near present day Dillard, Georgia. A few days after his birth, he was given his first name when the cradle board holding him fell over. He was called in the Cherokee language Gu-Ka-Las-Ki, which in English, translates to "One who falls from a leaning position". Later, after an unsuccessful military venture he was named Tsu-Na-La-Hun-Ski or, "One who tries but fails." Other spellings of his name included Chunaluska, in the diaries of Col. William Holland Thomas, Ja-ne-lus-kee in the Siler rolls, and Junoluskee by the North Carolina General Assembly. Junaluska's own description of the event that gave him the name was "Detsinulahungu," meaning "I tried, but could not".

Legend has been passed that Junaluska met with Tecumseh in Soco Gap in 1811 although this is not verified. Junaluska however sent word at least to Tecumseh that the Cherokee would not join an Indian confederacy against the whites.²