Wilma Mankiller Maggie Bowen, Mateius Brown, Kaitlyn Carver, Corey - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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
• f 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.