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"Bias & Bigotry" |
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Wilma Mankiller was born on November 18, 1945, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. She was the sixth of eleven children in a family that was part of the Cherokee community, whose traditions and struggles would deeply influence her life and work. In the 1950s, her family participated in the government relocation program, moving to San Francisco. This experience exposed her to the broader civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, including the Alcatraz occupation of 1969, which was a formative moment for her. These movements, along with her experiences of poverty and discrimination, shaped her commitment to activism and advocacy for Native American communities. During Mankiller's tenure in office, the United States witnessed significant social and political shifts regarding the rights and recognition of Native American tribes. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 had laid earlier groundwork for tribes to exercise greater control over their affairs and education, and activists like Mankiller sought to expand these rights further. As Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1985 to 1995, she focused on health care, education, and government infrastructure improvements, enhancing her people's standard of living and self-governance. Her leadership was transformative, nearly tripling the tribe's enrollment, doubling employment, and building new health centers and children's programs. Wilma Mankiller's legacy extends beyond her significant political achievements. She was a symbol of progress not only for Native American rights but also for women's leadership in traditionally male-dominated spheres. She faced and overcame significant opposition and health challenges, including kidney disease and cancer, which she spoke about openly to raise awareness and support for others facing similar battles. Mankiller’s work has been recognized nationally; she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Her life and career left an indelible mark on the Cherokee Nation and on Native American communities across the United States, symbolizing resilience, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Reference: Wikipedia.org |
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