**A better bio is in progress and will be posted at a later date.**
Former Deputy Chief Hastings Shade dies
Staff Reports
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Former Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief and Cherokee traditionalist Hastings Shade died on Feb. 9 at the age of 67.
He spent more than 40 years serving the CN as an administrator, manager, teacher and volunteer. Widely recognized for this work in cultural preservation and as a skilled traditional artisan, he was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991.
Shade had a strong commitment to children and to teaching Cherokee language, culture and history. He authored books on the Cherokee language and culture. While serving as deputy chief under Principal Chief Chad Smith from 1999-2003, he spent much time attending and teaching at Cherokee cultural camps locally and around the country.
"His figurative heart for the Cherokee people was huge and strong. He was quick to hug a teenager with encouragement and tell them spellbinding stories of inspiration," wrote Smith in a Feb. 10 e-mail to Cherokee Nation employees. "He foremost was a gentleman and a traditionalist who was fluent in Cherokee language and conversant in Cherokee thought."
Smith wrote that he and his wife Bobbie visited Shade a few hours before his passing.
"He said he wanted to teach some more and he had a great depth of Cherokee knowledge to share," Smith states. "He was awarded National Treasure years ago for his craftsmanship but he also was a national treasure to the Cherokee people for his cultural contributions, encouragement and statesmanship. We will miss him. Let us keep his wife Loretta and his family in our thoughts and prayers. In his honor our flags are at half-mast."
Shade resided in Lost City, where he grew up, with his wife Loretta. His parents were Tom and Leanna Stopp Shade. He was also a descendent of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.
His funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Sequoyah Schools' The Place Where They Play.
(source - Cherokee Phoenix; Tahlequah, OK; Feb. 11, 2010)
Former Deputy Chief Hastings Shade dies
Staff Reports
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Former Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief and Cherokee traditionalist Hastings Shade died on Feb. 9 at the age of 67.
He spent more than 40 years serving the CN as an administrator, manager, teacher and volunteer. Widely recognized for this work in cultural preservation and as a skilled traditional artisan, he was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991.
Shade had a strong commitment to children and to teaching Cherokee language, culture and history. He authored books on the Cherokee language and culture. While serving as deputy chief under Principal Chief Chad Smith from 1999-2003, he spent much time attending and teaching at Cherokee cultural camps locally and around the country.
"His figurative heart for the Cherokee people was huge and strong. He was quick to hug a teenager with encouragement and tell them spellbinding stories of inspiration," wrote Smith in a Feb. 10 e-mail to Cherokee Nation employees. "He foremost was a gentleman and a traditionalist who was fluent in Cherokee language and conversant in Cherokee thought."
Smith wrote that he and his wife Bobbie visited Shade a few hours before his passing.
"He said he wanted to teach some more and he had a great depth of Cherokee knowledge to share," Smith states. "He was awarded National Treasure years ago for his craftsmanship but he also was a national treasure to the Cherokee people for his cultural contributions, encouragement and statesmanship. We will miss him. Let us keep his wife Loretta and his family in our thoughts and prayers. In his honor our flags are at half-mast."
Shade resided in Lost City, where he grew up, with his wife Loretta. His parents were Tom and Leanna Stopp Shade. He was also a descendent of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.
His funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Sequoyah Schools' The Place Where They Play.
(source - Cherokee Phoenix; Tahlequah, OK; Feb. 11, 2010)
**A better bio is in progress and will be posted at a later date.**
Former Deputy Chief Hastings Shade dies
Staff Reports
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Former Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief and Cherokee traditionalist Hastings Shade died on Feb. 9 at the age of 67.
He spent more than 40 years serving the CN as an administrator, manager, teacher and volunteer. Widely recognized for this work in cultural preservation and as a skilled traditional artisan, he was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991.
Shade had a strong commitment to children and to teaching Cherokee language, culture and history. He authored books on the Cherokee language and culture. While serving as deputy chief under Principal Chief Chad Smith from 1999-2003, he spent much time attending and teaching at Cherokee cultural camps locally and around the country.
"His figurative heart for the Cherokee people was huge and strong. He was quick to hug a teenager with encouragement and tell them spellbinding stories of inspiration," wrote Smith in a Feb. 10 e-mail to Cherokee Nation employees. "He foremost was a gentleman and a traditionalist who was fluent in Cherokee language and conversant in Cherokee thought."
Smith wrote that he and his wife Bobbie visited Shade a few hours before his passing.
"He said he wanted to teach some more and he had a great depth of Cherokee knowledge to share," Smith states. "He was awarded National Treasure years ago for his craftsmanship but he also was a national treasure to the Cherokee people for his cultural contributions, encouragement and statesmanship. We will miss him. Let us keep his wife Loretta and his family in our thoughts and prayers. In his honor our flags are at half-mast."
Shade resided in Lost City, where he grew up, with his wife Loretta. His parents were Tom and Leanna Stopp Shade. He was also a descendent of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.
His funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Sequoyah Schools' The Place Where They Play.
(source - Cherokee Phoenix; Tahlequah, OK; Feb. 11, 2010)
Former Deputy Chief Hastings Shade dies
Staff Reports
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Former Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief and Cherokee traditionalist Hastings Shade died on Feb. 9 at the age of 67.
He spent more than 40 years serving the CN as an administrator, manager, teacher and volunteer. Widely recognized for this work in cultural preservation and as a skilled traditional artisan, he was designated a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991.
Shade had a strong commitment to children and to teaching Cherokee language, culture and history. He authored books on the Cherokee language and culture. While serving as deputy chief under Principal Chief Chad Smith from 1999-2003, he spent much time attending and teaching at Cherokee cultural camps locally and around the country.
"His figurative heart for the Cherokee people was huge and strong. He was quick to hug a teenager with encouragement and tell them spellbinding stories of inspiration," wrote Smith in a Feb. 10 e-mail to Cherokee Nation employees. "He foremost was a gentleman and a traditionalist who was fluent in Cherokee language and conversant in Cherokee thought."
Smith wrote that he and his wife Bobbie visited Shade a few hours before his passing.
"He said he wanted to teach some more and he had a great depth of Cherokee knowledge to share," Smith states. "He was awarded National Treasure years ago for his craftsmanship but he also was a national treasure to the Cherokee people for his cultural contributions, encouragement and statesmanship. We will miss him. Let us keep his wife Loretta and his family in our thoughts and prayers. In his honor our flags are at half-mast."
Shade resided in Lost City, where he grew up, with his wife Loretta. His parents were Tom and Leanna Stopp Shade. He was also a descendent of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.
His funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 12 at Sequoyah Schools' The Place Where They Play.
(source - Cherokee Phoenix; Tahlequah, OK; Feb. 11, 2010)
