Mankiller

Encore Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV (not available on demand)

“I want to be remembered as the person who helped us restore faith in ourselves.” —Wilma Mankiller

This is the story of an American hero. One who stands tall amongst the likes of Robert Kennedy, Harriet Tubman and Martin Luther King, Jr. Someone who humbly defied the odds and overcame insurmountable obstacles to fight injustice and gave a voice to the voiceless. And yet few people know her name. This is the story of an American legend, Wilma Mankiller, who overcame rampant sexism and personal challenges to emerge as the Cherokee Nation’s first woman principal chief in 1985.

“Mankiller” examines the legacy of the formidable Wilma Mankiller and reunites the documentary team of Gale Anne Hurd and Valerie Red-Horse Mohl for their third and most powerful film.

As a child, Wilma’s family was relocated from Oklahoma to San Francisco, and although the move was traumatic, it was in the Bay Area during the turbulent 1960s that she became involved in the fight for civil rights and joined the Alcatraz Occupation. Wilma brought this passion back to the Cherokee Nation where she was re-elected by her people to serve three terms as the Cherokee’s highest leader.

While in office, she provided the foundation for the Nation’s current economic and cultural status as one of the most successful tribes in America. Although she considered herself a liberal democrat, as deputy chief she was chosen by a conservative Republican and was known as a uniter of all people.

Wilma launched many cutting edge initiatives that substantially improved living conditions during her tenure, and in 1990 she signed an unprecedented Cherokee Nation self-determination agreement with the federal government, in which the Nation took control of its funding, programs and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In 1998, recognizing her impressive leadership and achievements, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Medal of Freedom. A stalwart activist for women’s rights, Wilma Mankiller was cited by the organizers of the January 2017 Women’s March on Washington as one of the most important leaders in America’s movement for equality.

“Mankiller” reminds audiences of the true meaning of servant leadership and serves as a wake-up call to take action for positive change.

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Wilma Mankiller is sworn into office as deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1983.

Courtesy of Wilma Mankiller Foundation

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Wilma Mankiller is sworn into office as Principal Chief in 1987. Pictured (l-r): Wilma Pearl Mankiller, Charlie Soap (Wilma’s husband) and then Chief Justice of the Cherokee Nation Philip Viles.

Courtesy of Wilma Mankiller Foundation

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Wilma Mankiller (center) and colleagues hold ceremonial shovels at the groundbreaking of the Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center. (undated photo)

Courtesy of Wilma Mankiller Foundation

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Wilma Mankiller reads to students.

Courtesy of Wilma Mankiller Foundation

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Wilma Mankiller overcame rampant sexism and personal challenges to emerge as the Cherokee Nation’s first woman principal chief in 1985.

Courtesy of Wilma Mankiller Foundation

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Credits:

Produced by Red-Horse Native Productions, Inc. and Valhalla Entertainment, and presented by Vision Maker Media. Director and Producer is Valerie Red-Horse Mohl. Executive Producer is Gale Anne Hurd. Producers: Charlie Soap, Kristina Kiehl, Stacy Mahoney. Co-Producers are Gina Olaya and Felicia olaya. Associate Producers: Phillip Kobylanski and Dawn Jackson.