Wilma Mankiller, American tribal leader (b. 1945)

Wilma Pearl Mankiller, whose Cherokee name, ᎠᏥᎳᏍᎩ ᎠᏍᎦᏯᏗᎯ (romanized as Atsilasgi Asgayadihi), is often translated to mean "dangerous woman" or "medicine woman," was a towering figure in Native American history. Born on November 18, 1945, and passing on April 6, 2010, she dedicated her life to activism, social work, and community development, ultimately rising to become the first woman ever elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her life story is a powerful testament to resilience, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to her people's well-being and self-determination.

Early Life and Awakening to Activism

Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma spent her formative years deeply connected to her family's allotment in rural Adair County. This strong bond with the land and her community was fundamental to her identity. However, at the tender age of 11, her life took a dramatic turn when her family participated in the federal government's Indian Relocation Act of 1956. This program, which sought to "urbanize" Native Americans by encouraging them to move from their ancestral lands to major cities, led the Mankiller family to the bustling metropolis of San Francisco. This experience, while challenging and dislocating for many Indigenous families, exposed young Wilma to diverse social environments and later profoundly fueled her passion for justice and social change. After completing high school, she married a well-to-do Ecuadorian and started a family, raising two daughters. The fervent social and political movements of the 1960s profoundly impacted her, igniting her activist spirit. She soon became deeply involved in the seminal Occupation of Alcatraz Island, a pivotal moment for Native American rights, and later lent her support to the Pit River Tribe in their crucial struggles for land and compensation. Her commitment to direct action and advocacy was already clearly evident. For five years in the early 1970s, she applied her skills as a social worker, dedicating herself primarily to issues affecting children, a population she always held dear.

A Vision for Community Development

In the fall of 1976, Wilma Mankiller returned to her beloved Oklahoma, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a renewed sense of purpose. She joined the Cherokee Nation as an economic stimulus coordinator, quickly proving her exceptional ability to prepare documentation and secure vital funding. Her skill as a grant writer was unparalleled, enabling the tribe to access resources for critical projects. By the early 1980s, her leadership qualities shone brightly as she was appointed director of the newly established Community Development Department of the Cherokee Nation. It was here that Mankiller truly revolutionized community engagement. She designed and oversaw innovative "bottom-up" community projects, empowering rural citizens to identify their own challenges and, through their collective labor and ingenious solutions, participate directly in solving them. This self-help philosophy fostered dignity, collective responsibility, and self-reliance within the communities. A prime example of her vision was the project in Bell, Oklahoma, which garnered national attention and was even featured in the inspiring movie, "The Cherokee Word for Water," directed by Charlie Soap and Tim Kelly. So impactful was this film that in 2015, the American Indian Film Institute recognized it as the top American Indian film of the past 40 years. Another of her initiatives, the project in Kenwood, received the Department of Housing and Urban Development's prestigious Certificate of National Merit, underscoring the effectiveness and national recognition of her community-driven approach.

Leading the Cherokee Nation

Mankiller's remarkable management abilities and her profound dedication to her people did not go unnoticed. The incumbent Principal Chief, Ross Swimmer, recognized her potential and invited her to run as his deputy in the 1983 tribal elections. Their successful campaign marked a historic moment: Wilma Mankiller became the first elected woman to serve as Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, breaking barriers and setting a significant precedent for women in tribal governance. Just two years later, in 1985, when Chief Swimmer accepted a position within the federal administration of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Mankiller was elevated to the highest office, becoming the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She held this esteemed position until 1995, leading with a steady hand and a clear vision for progress. During her transformative administration, the Cherokee government made monumental strides. They built new health clinics, established a mobile eye-care clinic, and created essential ambulance services, significantly improving access to healthcare for thousands of citizens. Education flourished with the creation of early education, adult education, and vital job training programs, investing in the future of the Nation's people. Beyond social services, Chief Mankiller shrewdly developed diversified revenue streams, including factories, retail stores, restaurants, and bingo operations, bolstering the tribe's economic independence and self-sufficiency. Crucially, she championed and solidified the principle of self-governance, allowing the Cherokee Nation to manage its own finances and shape its destiny, a pivotal shift away from federal oversight and towards true tribal sovereignty.

A Legacy Beyond Politics and a Battle with Illness

Upon her retirement from the demanding world of tribal politics, Wilma Mankiller did not cease her life of service. She seamlessly transitioned back into her role as a passionate activist and advocate. Her tireless efforts focused on improving the image of Native Americans and staunchly combating the misappropriation of Indigenous heritage, ensuring that the rich cultures and histories of Native peoples were understood and respected. She authored several influential books, including her bestselling autobiography, "Mankiller: A Chief and Her People," which offered profound insights into her life and leadership. She traveled extensively, delivering numerous lectures on critical issues such as health care, tribal sovereignty, women's rights, and cancer awareness, sharing her wisdom and inspiring countless individuals. Throughout her remarkable life, Wilma Mankiller faced an arduous battle with serious health problems, demonstrating incredible fortitude and resilience. She contended with polycystic kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, lymphoma, and breast cancer, enduring two kidney transplants with unwavering determination. Tragically, she passed away on April 6, 2010, from pancreatic cancer. Her immense contributions were recognized with a multitude of local, state, and national awards, culminating in the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a testament to her profound impact on American society and Indigenous rights.

Enduring Recognition

Wilma Pearl Mankiller's legacy continues to resonate deeply, inspiring new generations. In a powerful acknowledgment of her enduring influence, it was announced in 2021 that her likeness would grace the quarter-dollar coin as a distinguished part of the United States Mint's "American Women Quarters" program. This honor ensures that her pioneering spirit, her dedication to self-determination, and her transformative leadership will be remembered and celebrated by generations to come, firmly cementing her place as an iconic figure in American history and a beacon for Indigenous empowerment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilma Mankiller

Who was Wilma Pearl Mankiller?
Wilma Pearl Mankiller was a Native American (Cherokee Nation) activist, social worker, community developer, and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
What was Wilma Mankiller's Cherokee name and what does it mean?
Her Cherokee name was ᎠᏥᎳᏍᎩ ᎠᏍᎦᏯᏗᎯ (Atsilasgi Asgayadihi), which is often translated to "dangerous woman" or "medicine woman."
What significant "first" did Wilma Mankiller achieve?
Wilma Mankiller was the first woman ever elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
How did Wilma Mankiller become involved in activism?
Inspired by the social and political movements of the 1960s, she became involved in the Occupation of Alcatraz and later participated in land and compensation struggles with the Pit River Tribe.
What was the "Indian Relocation Act" and how did it affect Mankiller?
The Indian Relocation Act was a federal government program in the mid-20th century that encouraged Native Americans to move from reservations to urban areas. Wilma Mankiller's family relocated from rural Oklahoma to San Francisco when she was 11 years old as part of this program.
What were some of Wilma Mankiller's key achievements as Principal Chief?
During her administration, she significantly expanded health services (new clinics, mobile eye care, ambulance services), created early and adult education and job training programs, developed diverse tribal revenue streams, and strengthened the Cherokee Nation's self-governance and financial independence.
What health challenges did Wilma Mankiller face?
Throughout her life, she battled serious health problems, including polycystic kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, lymphoma, breast cancer, and required two kidney transplants. She ultimately passed away from pancreatic cancer.
What major honors did Wilma Mankiller receive?
Among many awards, she was honored with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
How is Wilma Mankiller being honored in recent times?
In 2021, it was announced that her likeness would appear on the quarter-dollar coin as part of the United States Mint's "American Women Quarters" program.