Wilma P. Mankiller, the first woman to be elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, spoke at Rogers State University on Thursday.

Mankiller addressed some of the challenges facing tribes, comparing their social and economic status to that of developing nations. She said tribes continue to battle negative perceptions, including disinformation spread by outside groups.

"We need to know how this information gets spread and why it resonates with the public," she was quoted as saying. "There is a lack of accurate information about tribal government out there."

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Mankiller discusses issues faced by Native Americans (The Claremore Daily Progress 4/16)