The Great Read: Hero or Traitor? The Legacy of a Revolutionary-Era Cherokee Woman.
In 1776, Cherokee leaders looked for ways to navigate a foreboding future. Nanyehi, a.k.a. Nancy Ward, is venerated and reviled for her choice.
The New York Times
The Great Read
July 6, 2026, 2:01 p.m. Eastern time

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A woman wearing a T-shirt with the illustration of a Native woman stands holding a fence.

Revolutionary Journeys

Hero or Traitor? The Legacy of a Revolutionary-Era Cherokee Woman.

In 1776, Cherokee leaders looked for ways to navigate a foreboding future. Nanyehi, a.k.a. Nancy Ward, is venerated and reviled for her choice.

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