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.
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