Скачать или смотреть Wilma Mankiller: The First Female Chief of the Cherokee Nation | Full Interview

Wilma Mankiller made history as the first woman elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, serving from 1985 to 1995. Her leadership helped redefine what was possible for Native nations and Native women alike. In this intimate interview recorded in 2009 for Voices of Oklahoma, Wilma shares the personal, political, and spiritual experiences that shaped her life—from her early days in rural Adair County to the highest office in her Nation.

Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on November 18, 1945, Wilma grew up with deep Cherokee roots on her father’s side and Dutch-Irish heritage on her mother’s. After her family was relocated to San Francisco as part of a federal assimilation program, Wilma became involved in the Alcatraz occupation, a formative moment that awakened her political voice. Her return to Oklahoma marked the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on community development and tribal self-determination.

She speaks about the challenges she faced as a woman in tribal leadership, her efforts to bring infrastructure and health services to underserved Cherokee communities, and her broader vision of leadership grounded in compassion and culture. Her story is also one of physical resilience: she survived a near-fatal car accident, battled myasthenia gravis, underwent kidney transplants, and continued to serve through a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Wilma’s achievements earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998, induction into both the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, and the enduring love and respect of Cherokee people. This conversation captures her wisdom, humility, and unshakable commitment to the Cherokee Nation.

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