Wilma Mankiller, Former Cherokee Nation Chief Dies at 64

Wilma Mankiller Dies from Pancreatic Cancer at Age 64

Wilma Mankiller, whose name is a Cherokee military title and who always claimed her title was a 'well-earned nickname', has passed away from her battle with pancreatic cancer at age 64.

Wilma Mankiller was one of the few American Indian women to lead a major tribe and she was one of the most visible American Indian leaders according to the LA Times. She was the first female chief of the Cherokee tribe from 1985 to 1995 and she changed their way of life.

She doubled employment for her people, developed new children's programs and education programs, as well as built new health centers and she had a reputation for always meeting any challenge head on.

Wilma Mankiller first took the issues facing American Indians to the White House after her family were relocated to a housing project in a program funded by the government. She was also one of the American Indians who participated in a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969.

She was plagued by health problems however, after a car accident in 1979 left her nearly dead and needing 17 operations. She also developed myasthenia gravis, a muscular disorder and had to have a kidney transplant in 1990. She has also battled breast cancer, lymphoma and last month was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

A memorial service for Wilma Mankiller has been scheduled for Saturday April 10 at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah.