Wilma Mankiller

Maggie Bowen, Mateius Brown, Kaitlyn Carver, Corey Ginley The Early Cherokee Political Climate

• Principal Chief becomes necessary to negotiate with European Settlers.

• 1827, wrote constitution. Rewritten in 2003.

• Georgia Legislature pushes Cherokee out of Georgia. (Trail of Tears)

• Mass incarcerations, police brutality, impoverished communities, rights to land, youth suicide rates, and illegal substance abuse. Mankiller's Early Life

• Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1945.

• Age 11, forced to move to San Francisco by the US Army.

• Married Hector Bardi in 1963. Had two Daughters.

• Attended Skyline College, San Francisco State, and Flaming Rainbow University. Mankiller: The Early Activist

• 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island.

• Thousands of native American protestors including Mankiller.

• Led by Richard Oakes.

• Mankiller went between Alcatraz and the American Indian Center. Mankiller in Politics: The Beginning

• 1977 - Return to Oklahoma

• Founded the Community of Development Department for the Cherokee Nation

• 1983 – First female Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation Mankiller for Chief

• Wilma Mankiller's initial run for Principal Chief faced many challenges from her constituents.

• She was also challenged by her tribal council in her first few years. Second Term

• 1991 Election

• Much easier to be re-elected this time

• Received 83% of the vote Political Affiliations and Values

• Democrat

• Political climate of the 1980s and its challenges

• Supporter of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shortly before her death. Accomplishments as Chief

• Healthcare for Indigenous people

• Literacy and graduation rates

• Mentoring program Accomplishments as Chief

• "Spiritual" Autobiography • Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame • Infant mortality decline • Educational achievements inclined • National role model and voice for her people Awards and Honors Medal of Freedom

• https://www.c- span.org/video/?c4173791/wilma-mankiller- presidential-award Illness/Death

• Left office in 1995

• Diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, March 2010

• Died on April 3, 2010

1945 – 2010 I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another. I learned “ a long time ago that I can’t control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them. On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. And I am grateful to have a support team composed of loving family and friends. I will be spending my time with my family and close friends and engaging in activities I enjoy. It’s been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands of people in my life and I regret not being able to deliver this message personally to so many of you, ” - Wilma Mankiller, 2010 Mankiller's Legacy

• A vision that became a reality through her experiences!

• Mentoring Programs • Community Programing • Summer Programing Legacy Continues

• In 1980 Native American business population increased 1,420,000 to 1,959,000 in 1990 • Confidence • Elegance • Opportunity • Hope Gender Issues Related

• Parental Roles (Male/Female)=Breadwinner • 1970s Men and degrees • 2002 Women and degrees

• Woman witnessed the roles and courage.