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Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller Quotes

Сhief of the Cherokee Nation

Wilma Mankiller was a distinguished figure in the Cherokee Nation, serving as its Principal Chief from 1985 to 1995. She was the first woman to hold this position in the history of the Cherokee Nation, and her tenure was characterized by her advocacy for Native American rights and her dedication to improving the quality of life for her people.

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All People Cherokee Ifs Thinking Moving Ability Adversity Faces Indian Moving Forward Native American Steps Trying Way Wells America Challenges Chiefs Culture Deals

Famous Wilma Mankiller Quotes

“One of the things my parents taught me, and I'll always be grateful as a gift, is to not ever let anybody else define me; that for me to define myself. and I think that helped me a lot in assuming a leadership position.”

Thinking Parent Position Taught Grateful Assuming Be Grateful

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the creator sends my way, but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them”

Thinking Way Long I Can Challenges Deals Long Time Creator My Way Long Time Ago

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“I don't think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization without talking about education. Whoever controls the education of our children controls our future.”

People Thinking Children Education Talking Future Organization Our Children Educational Our Future Literacy

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“I think the most important issue we have as a people is what we started, and that is to begin to trust our own thinking again and belive in ourselves enough to think that we can articulate our own vision of the future and then work to make sure that that vision becomes a reality.”

People Thinking Important Enough Reality Vision Issues Trust Future Belive Important Issues Visions Of The Future

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“We must trust our own thinking. Trust where we're going. And get the job done.”

Thinking Done Jobs Healing Trust Civil Rights Get The Job Done

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking.”

Ifs Thinking Long Would Be America Term Leadership Leader Long Term Better Place Leadership Vision

Author:Wilma Mankiller

“Western movies always seemed to show Indian women washing clothes at the creek and men with a tomahawk or spear in their hands, adorned with lots of feathers. That image has stayed in some people's minds. Many think we're either visionaries, `noble savages,' squaw drudges or tragic alcoholics. We're very rarely depicted as real people who have greater tenacity in terms of trying to hang on to our culture and values system than most people.”

About the Author

Born: November 18, 1945
Died: April 6, 2010
Known for: Сhief of the Cherokee Nation
Quotes: 39

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People Cherokee Ifs Thinking Moving Ability Adversity Faces Indian Moving Forward Native American Steps Trying Way Wells America Challenges Chiefs Culture Deals

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Books & Sources

Every Day Is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous WomenRelated source material

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