Matoaka (Known as Pocahontas)

Born:

c. 1596, Werowocomoco, Tsenacommacah, Virginia

Died:

March 1617, Gravesend, Kent, England

Nationality:

Powhatan

Profession(s):

Daughter of Chief Powhatan, Diplomat, Cultural Liaison

Early Life and Education

• Born Matoaka, later known as Pocahontas, to Chief Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacommacah.
• Little is known of her formal education; she was raised within Powhatan culture and traditions.
• Werowocomoco was a principal village of the Powhatan Confederacy.

Career and Major Achievements

• Known for her association with the Jamestown colony and the English colonists.
• According to Captain John Smith, she intervened to save his life during a Powhatan ceremony.
• Served as a mediator between the Powhatan people and the Jamestown settlers.
• Captured by the English and held hostage for several years.
• Converted to Christianity and adopted the name Rebecca.
• Married John Rolfe, a tobacco planter, in 1614.
• Traveled to England with Rolfe in 1616, where she was presented as a "civilized savage" to English society.
• Her presence was intended to encourage investment in the Virginia Company.
• The expression of "Going Native" has relevance when looking at a "pocahontas biography board examples of idioms" in a cultural context.

Legacy and Impact

Pocahontas remains a significant figure in American history, symbolizing intercultural relations and the early interactions between European settlers and Native Americans. Her story has been romanticized and reinterpreted over time, contributing to her enduring fame.

Notable Works

Pocahontas did not create traditional "works," but her life and interactions serve as the basis for numerous artistic representations:

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