Wilma Mankiller Books

Wilma Mankiller was not known as a poet. With a tip from her husband, Charlie Soap, and her friend, Kristina Kiehl, Pulley Press founders learned that Mankiller had been writing poetry throughout her life. After searching through her barn at Mankiller Flats in Adair County Oklahoma, Greg Shaw and Frances McCue located 19 of the 20 poems published here. The 20th came from the collection of Kristina Kiehl. The poems show Mankiller's engagement with her own artistry and reflection upon her life, particularly her Native heritage and the role of women in the world.Readers of Mankiller Poems might include other poets, amateur and professional historians, those interested in America's indigenous heroes, women's rights activists, political and civic leaders, young adults who are interested in leadership and all those who want to see another side of an inspiring leader. How the Chief of the Cherokee Nation wrote poems as a means of reflection on her life reveals a unique perspective on how art, and these poems in particular, may have enhanced Mankiller's own leadership. Her empathy is palpable and her quick wit and loving temperament, all wrapped in the artistry of verse, shines here.

The narrative focuses on the transformation of Native American life in the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1950s, highlighting the impact of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Relocation Program. It emphasizes the formation of a multi-tribal community centered around the Intertribal Friendship House in Oakland, which became a vital support system and cultural hub. The book features essays, photographs, and stories that document the experiences of Native families over seventy years, showcasing their resilience, activism, and the ongoing evolution of urban Indian identity.

Wilma Mankiller's autobiography offers a deeply personal narrative intertwined with the broader history of the Cherokee Nation. As the first female Chief, she recounts her life amid the American Indian civil rights movement, emphasizing the importance of Native American values. The updated edition includes a new Afterword reflecting on her life post-1994 and the ongoing political challenges faced by the Cherokee Nation, showcasing her commitment to cultural preservation and advocacy.