Native America Calling: Honoring Wilma Mankiller

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Wednesday, June 15, 2022

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Honoring Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller’s image on the U.S. quarter coin is the latest recognition for the pioneering Cherokee Nation leader.

Among her other honors was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. During the event celebrating her likeness on the quarter, current Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. said, years after her death, Chief Mankiller “keeps changing the world for the better.”

Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce looks back at Chief Mankiller’s legacy as an advocate for Cherokee people and the tribe’s first female principal chief.

Guests on Native America Calling

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (Cherokee), Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation

Alaina Roberts (Chickasaw and Choctaw Freedman descendent), PhD, Professor at University of Pittsburgh and author of the book “I’ve Been Here All the While: Black Freedom on Native Land”

Valerie Red-Horse Mohl (Cherokee), filmmaker and director and producer of “Mankiller”

Mary Smith (Cherokee), former chief executive of the Indian Health Service.