Elias Boudinot

Elias Boudinot was born in 1804 in northwest Georgia. Boudinot was a formally educated Cherokee Indian who became the editor of the Cherokee Phoenix, the first Native American newspaper in 1828. At age 24, Boudinot's position as editor assured him a spot in Cherokee history as the voice of the Cherokee people to the European Americans. The Cherokee Phoenix was published in English and in the Cherokee language. However, most of the content was published in English to prove to the European Americans that they could sustain an admirable civilization. The newspaper also established Native Americans as insiders as oppose to outsiders of the news world.  

Boudinot thought that the best outcome for the Cherokee was to secure their rights through treaty before they were forced out. He and other treaty supporters signed the Treaty of New Echota despite a majority of the tribe's disapproval. The treaty served as a legal basis for the Native American's removal known as the Trail of Tears in 1835 as the tribe was forced to cede most of its lands in the Southeast, and move to the West.

After moving West, Boudinot was working with an old friend, Rev. Worcestor on translating the bible into Cherokee when he was assassinated by a group of Cherokee men. Three years prior, Boudinot predicted the legacy of his people by saying,  "The time will come ... when the few remnants of our once happy and improving Nation will be viewed by posterity with curious and gazing interest as relics of a brave and noble race... perhaps, only here and there a solitary being, walking, 'as a ghost over the ashes of his fathers,' to remind a stranger that such a race once existed."

Elias Boudinot is seen a journalistic hero to the Cherokee people, yet was killed by his own tribe because of his realistic notion of trying to negotiate with those who sought their removal. 

Outside sources - http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Elias_Boudinot 

http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/elias-boudinot-ca-1804-1839