Thousands to honor Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller, who gave ‘her all for her people’

Thousands expected to honor Cherokee’s Mankiller

OKLAHOMA CITY — Cherokee Nation officials expect thousands of people at the Saturday memorial service for former tribal Chief Wilma Mankiller.

Mankiller was one of the most visible American Indian leaders in recent years and among the few women to ever lead a major tribe. She died Tuesday at age 64 after a bout with pancreatic cancer.

The memorial will be held outside at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds about 70 miles east of Tulsa, Okla.

Mankiller led the Cherokee Nation from December 1985 until 1995. The tribe tripled its enrollment, doubled employment and built new health centers and children’s programs during that time. The Nation currently has about 290,000 members.

She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998.