Junaluska

Junaluska
Memorial sculpture at Lake Junaluska
Born	c. 1775 Tryon County, North Carolina, British America
Died	(1858-11-20)November 20, 1858 (en route to) Citico, Tennessee, U.S.
Resting place	Robbinsville, North Carolina, U.S.
Nationality	Cherokee
Other names	Tsunulahunski, Detsinulahungu
Known for	Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814) during the War of 1812

Junaluska (Cherokee: Tsunu’lahun’ski) (c.1775 – November 20, 1858), was a leader of Cherokee who resided in towns in western North Carolina in the early 19th century. He fought alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812/Creek War. In the course of the battle he saved Jackson's life, an act he reportedly regretted later in life.

Although he was removed with most Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, Junaluska returned to North Carolina in the late 1840s. The state legislature granted him citizenship and some land near present-day Robbinsville. He was among the Cherokee who lived in North Carolina from the 19th century, and were ancestors to the federally recognized tribe of Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. This group organized in the 20th century.