We Mourn the Passing of Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, died Tuesday, April 6, 2010, but her spirit and legacy will live on.

In the 1960's Wilma became involved with the Indian Center in San Francisco, with the Pit River Tribe. Mankiller was part of the 18 month occupation of Alcatraz, that helped bring attention to the injustice perpetrated against the American Indian nations and an effort to restore the dignity of the more than 554 American Indian nations in the United States.

Wilma Mankiller was elected deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1983 and became the Principle Chief in 1985. She was elected to two terms after that. As principle chief, she focused on social programs and improving the life of the Cherokee people. She started community development programs where she encouraged people to work for the common good. She focused on education and health care, overseeing the construction of new schools, job-training centers, and health clinics.

Other accomplishments include her autobiography "Mankiller: A Chief and Her People", and a book she coauthored "Every Day Is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women". She also received the Presidential medal of freedom.