Wilma Mankiller, first woman to lead Cherokee, dies at 64

[cali]

By the CNN Wire Staff
April 6, 2010 2:55 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to lead the Cherokee native American tribe, died Tuesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Cherokee leaders announced Tuesday. She was 64.

Mankiller served 10 years as principal chief of the Cherokee, the second-largest U.S. tribe, and became its first freely elected leader in 1987. President Clinton awarded her the Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor, in 1998.

"Our personal and national hearts are heavy with sorrow and sadness with the passing this morning of Wilma Mankiller," said Chad Smith, her successor as chief of the Oklahoma-based tribe. "We feel overwhelmed and lost when we realize she has left us, but we should reflect on what legacy she leaves us. We are better people and a stronger tribal nation because of her example of Cherokee leadership, statesmanship, humility, grace, determination and decisiveness."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/06/obit.mankiller/?hpt=Sbin

[nomorenomore08]

1. I didn't realize she was so (relatively) young. RIP.

nt

[Behind the Aegis]

2. Very sad.

She was good for the Cherokee Nation and was a nice person, at least the two times I briefly met her.

[Bobbieo]

3. She was a very brave lady - RIP, Wilma!

[panader0]

4. RIP

[XOKCowboy]

5. An incredible lady RIP Mrs Mankiller

[DURHAM D]

6. Oh dear. Wilma is one of my personal sheros.

I lived in Oklahoma for several years and met her many times. However, the last time I spoke with her was when she gave a speech at the University of North Carolina.

"Humility and grace" describes her so well. Also, her self-depreciating humor was so endearing.

[kiapolo]

7. Mankiller - red on black racism...

Mankiller established the law that limited tribal membership by excluding the Freedmen section of Cherokee Indians listed on the Dawes Rolls, generating the later Cherokee freedmen controversy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherokee_freedmen_controversy

I guess that's the risk you take when you support slavery and the Confederacy in the Civil War.

of course racism only exist in white people, we can't talk about racism among anyone but white people.

[DURHAM D]

9. The freedman issue is complex and Wilma can not be held responsible for the problems/issues.

Its like, you know, been going on for 150 years - and is not just an issue in the Cherokee Nation.

Both sides have valid issues and resolution seems impossible because it is really just about money.

[kiapolo]

10. very complicated...

actually, not so much. It's about racism. And it was her administration that started the racist policy in the Cherokee Nation. Pull the plug on any and all benefits going to black members of the Cherokee Nation. Where is the honor in abandoning a contract you made 150 years ago?

We put the blame on the United States for abandoning its responsibility to the Native Americans and other indigenous groups within its borders, and we turn a blind eye or make all kinds of excuses when another government does the same thing (the Cherokee Nation).

[DURHAM D]

11. who is the "you" in the contract in your opinion?

Many were put on the rolls not because of who they were or how they got there but simply because of where they were living.

[kiapolo]

13. Know your history...

the Dawes Rolls were taken AFTER the Treaty of 1866. On July 19, 1866, the Cherokee Nation signed a treaty with the United States extending Cherokee citizenship and enfranchisement rights to the freedmen and their descendants. The Dawes Rolls, takes almost 50 years later, were used by the Cherokee Nation to try and get out of their treaty obligation to the Freedmen. Know your history son.

We kick and scream when the United States government breaks its treaty promise to the great indigenous peoples of this land. We should kick and scream and hold the leaders accountable whenever an injustice, like the Freedman have suffered, occurs...

[DURHAM D]

14. Number one - I am not a "son".

Guess you can't read a profile.

Number two - stop posting your sanctimonious lectures directed at me regarding treaties the U.S. government has broken. I have not and will not defend US Government treatment of Native Americans.

Number three - it seems you have cherry picked info to support your bias. The Dawes Act was designed by the federal government to force Native Americans to become farmers. You really think they thought this was about their welfare and bought into it? Hell No. They got screwed over with that act. Now you hold it up as something to be honored? Please...

Do you think all former slaves should receive reparations and ongoing funds or just those living in Indian territory over a hundred years ago? What an interesting idea - reparations paid to AAs but only by indigenous peoples.

I won't be responding to any further comments from you because you are a bully.

[Raine]

8. 64 is so young :-(

R-I-P Wilma

[DearAbby]

12. R.I.P