Kindling the Native Spirit: Sacred Practices for Everyday Life - Denise Linn 2015

Angels in Native Cultures
Great Mystery: Touching the Soul

Although it seems that every native culture is replete with myths and stories about fairies and little people, there are a scant few instances of what are called angels in Western traditions. However, in the Cherokee lore there is the nunnehi, a race of immortal spirit people. In the Cherokee language, the word nunnehi means “The People Who Live Anywhere,” but it has also been translated as “The People Who Live Forever.” The nunnehi look just like people, but they can appear and disappear at will. When they made themselves visible, they looked and acted just like other Cherokees.

The nunnehi were said to be very helpful to the Cherokee and would guide those who had lost their way in the forest, especially during the winter. The nunnehi would shelter lost individuals in their warm dwelling until the person was ready to return home. The nunnehi were also said to have warned the Cherokee of danger and protected them in times of need. One of the most well-known stories tells how they helped the people just before the Trail of Tears in 1838, when the Cherokee were forced by President Jackson to leave their homeland and walk to Oklahoma, which was 2,200 miles in land and water routes. (The total walk, over nine states, was almost 1,200 miles.)

According to the legend, the nunnehi arrived at a Cherokee village before the “removal” and told the people to be prepared to leave in seven days. They said something catastrophic was about to occur for the Cherokee Nation; it was worse than anything that they could imagine. So, it would be best if the people went to live with the nunnehi. Seven days later, the nunnehi returned for the people and led them to a large stone against a mountain. With ease, the nunnehi rolled the stone away, revealing an entrance. As they peered into the passageway through the mountainside, the Cherokee saw an incredibly radiant, lush place. Some people rushed through the mountain passage, without ever looking back. Some were afraid and turned away. The people who remained outside were later forced to leave their homes and go on the long trek to Oklahoma. It’s believed by many that the people who stayed with the nunnehi were protected from the United States soldiers finding them, and it’s from this group of Cherokee that some of the present-day Eastern Band of Cherokee who still live on their native land have descended. It’s difficult to tell if this is a myth; however, Cherokee lore is replete with numerous stories of encounters with the nunnehi.

Although there are some stories in native cultures, such as that of the nunnehi, which seem to mirror the Western view of angels, for the most part, rather than gaining inspiration and solace from the angels associated with the soaring cathedrals of Europe, indigenous people are more likely to find their guidance from connecting to their ancestors, totem allies, nature spirits, or Grandmother Earth and Grandfather Sky.