Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Politics
Mankiller rejected calls to run for Congress


William Mankiller, the first woman to lead the Cherokee Nation, said she has rejected calls for her to run for U.S. Congress.

Mankiller has been asked to represent Oklahoma's 2nd Congressional District, which has the highest percentage of Indian voters than any other in the country. But she said she won't do it.

"It's just not in my way of thinking," Mankiller tells The Oklahoman. "My vision, my life is in the tribe."

The district is currently represented by Rep. Dan Boren, a Democrat, who defeated Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw Nation, for the party's nomination. The seat was previously held by Brad Carson, a member of the Cherokee Nation.

The only Native American in Congress Rep. Tom Cole, Republican of Oklahoma. Mankiller believes the state will have an Indian governor in the future.

Get the Story:
Mankiller foresees Indian governor (The Oklahoman 12/16)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Mankiller says tribes went 'overboard' with Abramoff (02/21)
Mankiller tells students to keep positive outlook (09/15)
Indian women's network meets for first conference (07/13)
Column: Wilma Mankiller still inspires Natives (06/17)
Mankiller says perception a threat to sovereignty (6/16)
Perception and realities in land-into-trust debate (05/19)
Mankiller: All the Indians 'probably at Wal-Mart' (05/03)
Mankiller promotes new book of indigenous women (11/16)
Mankiller says tribes battling negative perceptions (04/16)
Mankiller urges students to shape perceptions (06/12)
Mankiller: Native history is part of America (01/27)
Mankiller takes on gender in society (3/22)