Czombel M5 Academic Journal Blog Assignment

In watching the video "Governance, Leadership, and the Cherokee Nation" where Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010), was interviewed by Ian Record, I was impressed with her personal and professional accomplishments, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998 from then President Bill Clinton, the United States’ highest civilian honor.

Wilma describes sovereignty as the right to control your own lands, resources, and visions for the future, determining your own destiny.  It’s important to remind Americans that tribal government existed prior to the United States federal government that we know today, and that indigenous peoples’ had treaties with several other countries prior to those with the United States.

Mrs. Mankiller was elected in 1983 as the Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and assumed position as the Principal Chief in 1985 when Ross Swimmer resigned his post, becoming the first female ever elected as Principal Chief of her nation.  Wilma went on to win two additional elections, before leaving office in 1995.  Mrs. Mankiller described that a healthy Native American community is one that provides equal access to healthcare and education, active promotion of skills and abilities, while preserving a sense of interdependence. 

Mrs. Mankiller was very proud of her Cherokee Nation, and the resiliency her people showed when faced with adversity.  Whether it was the continuous shrinking of land base, the devastating removal process by the United States, or allotment policies, the spirit of survival prevailed.  In Oklahoma alone, the Cherokee Nation rebuilt through family and community, constructing government buildings including a supreme court building, establishing newspapers, school systems for children and even schools to educate women.

In terms of leadership, Wilma had many great ideas and philosophies to share.  “Trust your own thinking”.  Change can only be accomplished by including thoughts and ideas from both families and the community they live in.  Effective partnerships with outside parties may be necessary to move forward and find solutions, but make sure you listen to your people.  There is a role for everyone in transformation and growth, whether you can utilize a member’s skills to grant write, or another as a heavy equipment repair.  A specific example discussed was the Bell, Oklahoma community project that concerned a local population with over 95% Cherokee, of which only 25% had reliable indoor plumbing.  Mrs. Mankiller and her husband Charlie Soap led the project which provided the community with technical assistance and resources, but utilized the communities own people for physical labor to build a water system in order to provide clean drinking water and indoor plumbing for their homes.  This was a symbolic project, enabling the community to rise to the occasion so they could have a brighter future.

             Photo courtesy of http://www.thewaterwell.net/bell-waterline-project/

There is much more to glean from her video cited below, but in closing, it is essential as a good leader not to make unilateral decisions.  Develop and surround yourself with diverse teams to help you problem solve, establish clear roles for your members, remain focused on two or three major things you want to accomplish during your tenure, engage your citizens or people, and carefully balance your professional and personal life.

Work Cited

Mankiller, Wilma. "Governance, Leadership, and the Cherokee Nation." Leading Native Nations interview series. Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona. September 29, 2008. Interview.