Shona-Hah (1912-1997) or Mary J. Smith was Cherokee by birth and became the matriarchthe matriarch of the Lelooska family draws on first hand knowledge, much research, and collected memories of the Old Ones for her inspiration; mother of Lelooska, Kwunkwa-dzi, Patty Fawn, and Tsungani; born in a black walnut log cabin in Oklahoma's old Cherokee Nation; there, she was given the name Shona-Hah, "gray dove"; her Kwakiutl name, Tl'alilhilugwa, bestowed in 1968, means "whale rising". Shona-Hah's life bespeaks her Indian heritage. In her youth, she both trained horses and rode in races and exhibitions. As a small child, she began participating in the traditional dances and continued throughout her life. Always interested in all facets of Indian art, she exceled at beadwork, skin sewing, carving, painting, and doll making.