Wilma Mankiller Biography

Wilma Mankiller became principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in December 1985, after Ross Swimmer was asked to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She was chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1995. Mankiller faced many obstacles as the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. The main challenge she faced was opponents who argued that a woman should not be the chief of the Cherokee Nation. She was also criticized for focusing on social issues and for not creating establishments that would increase the revenue of the Cherokees. Mankiller believed that by concentrating her efforts on social issues, the lives of the citizens of the Cherokee Nation would improve. The Cherokee Nation subsequently began to grow and flourish. Rural and community development projects were important programs throughout Mankiller’s term as chief. …show more content…
She writes in Mankiller: A Chief and Her People, “ My feeling is that the Cherokee people, by and large, are incredibly tenacious.” She also improved the Cherokee Nation’s relationship with the federal government. Mankiller’s role as chief also highlighted the importance of Cherokee women to the Cherokee nation. Mankiller’s election as principal chief influenced Cherokee women and they began to assume leadership roles within the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller revamped the image of native people while instituting programs that demonstrated the Cherokee Nation’s tenacity. Wilma Mankiller promoted and preserved the Cheorkee Nation through her role as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation; furthermore, she improved the lives of the Cherokees through social, political, and economic programs that benefited the Cherokee Nation and its