VIRTUAL VISION QUEST
led by Wanda Patterson, Chair
American Indians Committee
Fielding Lewis NSDAR
November, 2024
___________________________________________
Mankiller blazes Cherokee trail
“Wilma Mankiller spent her personal and public life believing that every day on this Earth was a good day.” Wilma Pearl Mankiller’s 2010 obituary opened with these words which clearly depict the personal and professional philosophy of her life as an overcomer of many obstacles, as well as her service to her people as the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The obituary goes on to say that she was a symbol to Native people all over America, as she “seamlessly bridged gaps between Cherokee communities and the demands of the 21st century.”
Wilma was born into a family of eleven children near Tehlequah, Oklahoma, in a house with no electricity, indoor plumbing, or telephones. She and her siblings were responsible for hauling buckets of water a quarter of a mile from a nearby creek for the family’s use each day. Her father was a fullblood Cherokee, while her white mother came from Dutch and Irish ancestry. They lived in a two-bedroom house in Mankiller Flats, the 160-acre tract of land allotted to her grandfather in 1907 when the U.S. Government divided up the land given to the Cherokee as a result of the Treaty of New Echota, which led to the Trail of Tears.
When Wilma was eleven years old, her family was relocated to California as part of the national Indian policy of the Eisenhower administration, designed to “mainstream” Native American families into the general American population and break up tribal communities. The move was advertised as a grand opportunity for families to get ahead. The reality was that the Mankillers and other families were settled in urban areas in shabby little houses with menial labor as the only jobs available. Wilma referred to the move to California as “my own little Trail of Tears.” The family was miserable at home, work, and school.
After graduating from high school and taking a few classes at a nearby junior college, getting married, and giving birth to two daughters, Wilma developed a mindset for social activism and Native pride. In 1969 she became part of a group of indigenous activists who occupied Alcatraz, the notorious prison island in San Francisco Bay. The goal of the occupation was to raise awareness of the American government’s treatment of indigenous people. Her husband opposed her being and active part of the occupation, so she became involved by raising money to support the Indians who occupied the island for 19 months. The demands of the occupiers were not met, but their protest called public attention to the plight of Indians. The Alcatraz occupation totally awakened Wilma’s awareness of the condition of her people and changed the trajectory of her life forever. According to Wilma, “I became aware of what needed to be done to let the rest of the world know that Indians had rights, too.”
In 1974 Wilma divorced her husband, returned to college, and spent time volunteering at and eventually becoming director of the Oakland Native American Youth Center. There, she worked with people from a variety of Indian tribes to access financial assistance, enjoy activities with other Natives, and restore pride in their Native heritage.
Next, Wilma and her daughters returned to Oklahoma, lived with her sister’s family, and she became employed by the Cherokee Nation in 1977. Her responsibility was to enroll students in college programs. She returned to college herself, completing a graduate program in community planning. In 1981 she helped found the Cherokee Nation Community Development Department, the goal of which was to start renewal projects in Cherokee communities. Her title was Economic Stimulus Coordinator. Her first project was to provide running water and new housing for the town of Bell, Oklahoma, a small town of 200 families which were 95% Cherokee. Besides lack of running water, the town had high unemployment. Under Wilma’s direction and encouragement, the residents of Bell constructed a 16-mile waterline over a 14-month period and rehabbed existing homes, as well as building 20 new houses. Wilma earned nationwide recognition for her remarkable work in Bell.
For Wilma personally, the highlight of the Bell project was her meeting and marrying Charlie Soap, a fullblood Cherokee in 1986. He was also involved in the redevelopment of Bell and improving conditions in other Cherokee towns. Of local interest is the fact that Charlie Soap is descended from the Cherokee families in Georgia for whom Soap Creek is named.
Wilma Mankiller is sworn in as Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation, with husband Charlie Soap holding her Bible for the oath.
In 1983 Wilma was elected deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation in the administration of Chief Ross Swimmer. Many voters in the 1983 election did not approve of a woman as deputy chief, and she received hate mail and death threats; but she won the election, nevertheless. She contributed tremendously to the Nation by writing numerous grants for government and commercial assistance for a variety of tribal development projects.
Chief Swimmer was chosen by President Ronald Reagan to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1985. The Cherokee Nation Constitution dictated that Swimmer’s seat be filled by the deputy chief. Hence, Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. As Chief, she doubled revenues for the Cherokee Nation, and she expanded efforts to enroll more eligible members on the Cherokee Nation. Membership tripled by the end of her tenure. She opened three free-standing health centers and a drug abuse center. She also expanded educational programs and kindergartens. As a result of her remarkable accomplishments as Principal chief, Wilma was overwhelmingly reelected for a full term in 1987, earning 87% of the vote!
During her time as chief, Wilma concentrated her efforts on improving infrastructure and educational opportunities. She also worked to develop industries to combat unemployment among her people. She worked to preserve Cherokee culture and install Cherokee language programs in the schools. Always looking to improve life for Cherokee youth, she built an $11 million Job Corps Center.
While Wilma Mankiller was moving mountains for the Cherokee nation, she experienced a number of life-threatening health problems. First, she was in a terrible auto accident which required 17 operations and two years of rehab to put her back on her feet. While she was recovering from the accident, she was diagnosed with myasthemia gravis, a debilitating neuromuscular disease which required much medical treatment and surgery. Next, she required a kidney transplant, donated by her brother.
In 1991 Wilma won her third term as principal chief, despite her health issues. She made the difficult decision not to run for another term in 1995 because her poor health made it too difficult for her to fulfill her responsibilities. Instead, she accepted a teaching position at Dartmouth University in New Hampshire.
In 1994 Wilma Mankiller was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 1998, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidental Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor. Despite her health issues, she travelled the country, speaking and teaching about indigenous rights. One of her appearances was at Kennesaw State University in Marietta Georgia. She served on numerous boards, such as the Ford Foundation, The Freedom Foundation, and the Ms. Foundation for Women. Among her many honors was the Wilma Mankiller quarter minted with her likeness imprinted on it.
Wilma died of pancreatic cancer in 2010 after a life of distinguished service to the Cherokee Nation and the United States. Among the dignitaries who attended Chief Mankiller’s funeral was longtime friend and activist Gloria Steinheim. Mankiller’s obituary concludes, “She overcame personal and professional challenges with a grace that belied the difficulty of the task.” Perhaps one of her highest honors is the creation of the Wilma Mankiller Barbie Doll. Wilma always hoped that because of her achievements, she would serve as a model for little girls, who would now make it their goal to be principal chief one day!