Wilma Mankiller, the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation, urged Native journalism students on Tuesday to work to change perceptions of Indian people and tribal governments.

Mankiller spoke at the American Indian Journalism Institute at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She said the nation's views of Indians are shaped by journalism.

"Perception is as much of a threat as anti-sovereignty legislation. We have to regain control of our image," she was quoted as saying.

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