Nicpon M5 Blog; Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller

Birth: 1945 - Death: 2010
Born In: Oklahoma,
Died In: Oklahoma,
Achievements: Humanities
Educated In: California, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Schools Attended: Skyline College, San Francisco State University, Flaming Rainbow University, University of Arkansas
Worked In: California, Oklahoma 

When asked how she received her name while at a conference at a prestigious college, Wilma Mankiller joked with the gentleman that was inquiring “it is a nickname, and I earned it.” (Mankiller).  She goes on to explain that it was actually derived from a translation from a Cherokee title for the protector of a village. When translated to English, the closest word for the title was Mankiller.  I thought that showed a great side of the woman who became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. 

During the presentation, Chief Mankiller talks of how many women are assuming leadership roles, even those dealing with the subject of Sovereignty.  An interesting piece of information to me was how elections are held.  For example the Cherokee and Navajo tribal elections are held by popular election.  The Onondaga tribal elections are determined by the women.  The women elect and install the leaders.  Additionally only the women can remove leaders.  Definitely a matriarchal system.  Other Nations elect the Tribal council, and in turn the Tribal Council then selects the leaders.

There are 550 individual Tribal governments within the United States today.  And according to Chief Mankiller, the population or the land base of these governments, small or large, all have the same degree of sovereignty and self-governance. She adds that some tribes still rule in the ancient traditional governments, but many do not.  The Cherokee government of today for example, bears little resemblance to traditional governance.  No single leader of all Cherokee villages had the same powers as that of a present day Cherokee Chief. 

One thing that really resonated with me is Chief Mankillers outlook.  She talks an old Cherokee that tells of how one needs to remove all jealous and negative thoughts, and keep a good mind to come together as one.  “If you have thousands of negative thoughts roaming around in your mind unchecked, it will eventually permeate your being.  Ultimately leading to negative action” (Mankiller).  This system of thinking has had huge impact on her, and believes this had helped her to be a positive person.  A positive attitude, she believes led to her election as a Primary Chief.  This is something that I would really like to practice, hopefully enjoying a similar attitude as Chief Mankiller, one of being positive.