Summary: Tara Trudell joins us in the studio to pay tribute to a remarkable woman -- Wilma Pearl Mankiller. Dr. Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, passed away on April 6th, 2010 at 9:15 AM at the age of 64 from pancreatic cancer. She was at home with her husband, Charlie Lee Soap, and other family and friends. Wilma served 2 years as Deputy Principal Chief, followed by 10 years as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She retired from public office in 1995. She accomplished much during her lifetime, including community development projects, community health clinics and much more.
Wilma's memorial service is being held in Oklahoma at the same time as this program is airing. We play the A.I.M. song in honor of Wilma's activism and commitment. Tara shares with us some history and background information on Dr. Mankiller, as well as personal memories and poignant stories of Wilma. We play audio clips of interviews with Wilma on the topics of "The Bell Community Project" and "Women as Leaders." We end the show with the "Cherokee Morning Song" by Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble.
Wilma Mankiller will be missed by many, and will also live on in so many ways.
Resources:
http://www.WilmaMankiller.com/
http://www.OneFireDevelopment.org/ Donations in honor of Wilma can be sent to One Fire Development Corporation, 1220 Southmore, Houston, TX 77004. This is a non-profit organization "dedicated to advancing Native American communities through economic development, and to valuing the wisdom that exists within each of the diverse tribal communities around the world."
Book: "Mankiller: A Chief and Her People -- An Autobiography by the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation," by Wilma Mankiller and Michael Wallis (ISBN 0-312-09868-5)
Pat'sExtraNotes:
Thank you to http://www.VoicesOfOklahoma.org/ for the audio clips. Thank you to John Trudell, Norah Jones, and Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble for the music.
Thank you, David, for our CPR intro music: http://www.DavidRovics.com/
