Nonhelema

Nonhelema is a Shawnee feminine name that possibly means "not a man" in the Shawnee language. This name was borne by an influential 18th-century Shawnee chief and leader, Nonhelema Hokolesqua (c. 1718–1786), who was a sister of the renowned chief Hokolesqua, also known as Cornstalk.

Historical Significance

Nonhelema played an active role in the tumultuous period of the 18th century, participating in Pontiac's War (1763–1766) against British forces. She advocated for Shawnee neutrality during the American Revolutionary War, a stance that reflected her desire to protect her people from the conflict between the British and the American colonists. Despite her support for the United States after the war, her village was attacked, her husband Chief Moluntha was killed, and Nonhelema herself was captured and gravely injured, dying later that year in 1786.

Cultural Context

Born into the Chalakatha (Chilliothe) division of the Shawnee nation around 1718, Nonhelema spent her early youth in Pennsylvania. Her family included her Métis mother Katee and father Okowellos, who traveled to the Alabama country in 1725 before returning to Pennsylvania. By 1750, she had become a Shawnee chief, wielding significant influence within the Shawnee settlement in Kentucky. Her name, interpreted as "not a man," does not diminish her role; rather, it highlights her unique standing as a female leader in a largely male-dominated chiefly system.

Notable Bearers

• Nonhelema Hokolesqua (c. 1718–1786): Shawnee chief and diplomat, sister of Cornstalk.

Key Facts

• Meaning: Possibly "not a man" in Shawnee.
• Type: Indigenous first name.
• Usage regions: Historically among Shawnee people.
• Related name: Hokolesqua (Cornstalk), brother of Nonhelema.