Former Cherokee Nation chief Wilma Mankiller dies at 64 after battle with pancreatic cancer
By APTuesday, April 6, 2010
Former Cherokee Nation chief Wilma Mankiller dies
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Former Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller has died after battling pancreatic cancer. She was 64.
The Tahlequah-based tribe says Mankiller died Tuesday morning.
Mankiller was one of the few women ever to lead a major American Indian tribe. She served as the Cherokee chief from December 1985 until retiring in 1995. Then-President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998.
Current Cherokee Chief Chad Smith says the tribe is stronger because of mankiller’s leadership and statesmanship.
Mankiller dealt with numerous physical ailments during her lifetime, including three bouts with cancer.
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