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The Many Misrepresentations of Pocahontas

© Anita Stratos

Pocahontas - the name conjures up images of Native American beauty, long flowing black hair, a willowy figure, and a forbidden romance with Englander John Smith. That image couldn't be further from the truth.

The real Pocahontas was only about 10 years old in 1607 when she supposedly saved John Smith from being clubbed to death by the Powhatan Indians in Virginia. She was a muscular girl and according to some historians, her head may have been shaved bald. In the only engraved image made of Pocahontas during her lifetime, depicting her in stovepipe hat and English ruffles, she had prominent high cheekbones with a harshness about her face and eyes. But even her portrait was changed through the years, becoming softer in the eyes, lightening her black hair to European brown, and anglicizing her complexion and features.

How did her story and image change so severely through the centuries? Well, for one thing, filmmakers such as Roy Disney, who refused any input as to cultural and historical accuracy from the Powhatan tribe, were more concerned with marketability than facts. And some fault lies with John Smith himself, who wrote at least three different versions of his experiences in the new colony with the Powhatan tribe. To this day, historians are still trying to unravel the evidence and settle on one historically accurate truth. Until then, Pocahontas will remain a mixture of history and myth.

Let's take a look at what is known about this strong woman's short 22 years of life. Pocahontas was born circa 1595 near Jamestown, Virginia. Her given name was Matoaka and her pet name was Pocahontas, meaning "Little Wanton" or "frolicsome, playful little girl". Her father was known to the English as Powhatan, but his actual name was Wahunsonacock, and he was the chief of a confederation of 30 tribes in the Tidewater region.

Pocahontas's name was first entered in historical records in 1607 when John Smith was captured by Powhatans. One of Smith's earliest written accounts tells of his being well treated by the Powhatans, until one day when he was stretched across large stones while Indians stood over him with clubs poised as if to beat him to death upon command. Pocahontas placed herself between Smith and the clubs, pulling him to his feet. At that point Powhatan declared them friends and adopted Smith as his son. Many historians claim this to be a mock "execution and salvation" ceremony that represented rebirth as an Indian, which would mean his life had never been in danger. From then on, Smith and Pocahontas were friends, and relations between the English and the Indians were good for the next year.

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