Category: May 2023

CHEROKEE MARBLE ARTIST/LINGUIST CHIEF HASTINGS SHADE BORN

Shade, born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma (OK), lived most of his life in Lost City, OK. A direct descendant of famed Cherokee leader Sequoya, He spent more than 40 years serving the Cherokee Nation as an administrator, manager, teacher and volunteer. Hastings was declared a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991 for his extensive traditional knowledge. He was the only known maker of Cherokee marbles (gadayosdi) which he made by hand. He also made highly-sought fishing & frog gigs. Shade served one term as deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation, from 1999 to 2003. During his time in office, he helped develop the Cherokee Nation’s language programs, especially the Cherokee language immersion programs for school children. Shade died February 9, 2010, in Tulsa, OK.

Sources:
  “Hastings Shade,” Muskogee Phoenix, 2/11/2010. Retrieved 10/29/2021, Hastings Shade | Obituary | The Muskogee Phoenix
“Hastings Shade,” Cherokee Phoenix, 2/10/2010. Retrieved 10/29/2021, Former Deputy Chief Hastings Shade dies | News | cherokeephoenix.org
Photo: Phil Konstantin (Philkon), 9/9/2001. Public Domain.