It was a good day in the Cherokee Nation

It was a good day in the Cherokee Nation

Wilma Mankiller quarter released

By Ernestine Anunkasan Was te’

Native Sun News Editor

 

WASHINGTON D.C. – The Cherokee Nation, one of the largest tribal nations in the country, was once led by a woman who inspired change, not only in the Cherokee Nation, but in all of Indian Country. Wilma Mankiller’s legacy will now be preserved for future generations.

The Wilma Mankiller quarter was released this week through the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program. Mankiller joins poet, writer and activist Maya Angelou and astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

On Monday, June 6, a release and celebration was held at the Cherokee National History Museum in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Tommy Wildcat, considered a Cherokee National Treasure, opened the celebration with a melodious rendition on his Native American Flute.

Cherokee Nation citizen Jay Hannah, Executive Vice-President of Banc First, the bank who released the first Wilma Mankiller quarters, said, “Today is much more than a celebration of our beloved and revered Principle Chief Wilma Mankiller. It’s also a moment in our Nation’s history where we pause and reflect the extraordinary story of the Cherokee people and our indomitable spirit and courage…I believe that Wilma’s Spirit that is among us, whispering on a breeze that it is a good day beneath the creators sky.”

The Cherokee Nation Color Guard then posted the flag and the staff of the Cherokee Nation. Hannah then acknowledged the many tribal, state and national dignitaries who were present to witness the release of the Wilma Mankiller quarter.

Among those present were Wilma’s family members including her daughter Felecia who acknowledged all those in attendance. Felecia then read a quote that epitomized her mother’s spirit,   “They are the people who care about others, who will extend a helping hand to someone in need or who will speak up about an injustice they see.”

Principle Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskins Jr. said, “The Spirit of Gadugi is alive and well because Chief Mankiller inspires our communities to work together. She keeps changing the world even after her passing. Every Chief that follows her looks to the standard she left. Her legacy continues because her work continues to make an impact.”

Hoskins Jr. shared that Chief Mankiller was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for a U.S. civilian, from President Bill Clinton in 1998.

Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the US Mint, T.V. Johnson, a Native Oklahoman described the coin, “The wind is at her back and she is wrapped in a traditional shawl. To her left is a seven pointed star that depicts the Cherokee Nation. Inscriptions include the United States of America, E Pluribus Unum, Wilma Mankiller, Principle Chief and the name of the Cherokee Nation written in the Cherokee Syllabary.”

Johnson gifted Principle Chief Chuck Hoskins Jr., former Chief Ross Swimmer, Mankiller’s daughters and her husband, Charlie Soap, commemorative plaques of the newly released quarter.

The first Native American Poet Laureate Joy Harjo read Wilma Mankiller’s story. Harjo called it a hero’s story and shared that Mankiller relocated to California during the termination era, when the government tried to assimilate Indian people. Mankiller was at the historic taking of Alcatraz Island by Natives protesting longstanding government policies of genocide. Harjo said Mankiller was also a poet and read her poem titled, “This thing called love.”

Gloria Steinem, Author and Feminist leader said Mankiller was a major point person for women’s rights. “Wilma lived by seeing each of us as better than we are and so inspired us to become better. She herself inspired every group she was part of and every person who knew her.”

“She taught us that much of what we wanted for the future had once existed in this country’s pre-European past,” Steinem said. “This is the historic and the true Wilma. The one who will continue to inspire the world from her now storied and permanent place on a coin.”

Steinem spoke of Mankillers’ humor, “When asked about her last name she would say, ‘I earned it’”

The audience was then entertained by a performance of the Cherokee Nation Choir directed by Mary Kay Henderson.

They were followed by Cherokee Community Elder who gave witness to the fact that the Cherokee language is alive and well. He gave a tribute to Chief Mankiller totally in the Cherokee language.

Born in the Cherokee Nation in 1945, Mankiller rose to prominence in 1983 when she became deputy chief of the tribe, less than five years after being severely injured in a near-fatal car accident. Two years later, she was sworn in as principal chief of the tribe, serving in that role from 1985 to 1995.

After her time as principal chief, Mankiller was part of several philanthropic boards. Her foundation was established after her death in 2010 with the goal of carrying her legacy of social justice and development of Native American communities.

 

 

 

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