Copyright © 1998 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Cherokee Press Association
Copyright © 1998 CPA
All Rights Reserved

---

Mankiller To Receive
"The Highest Civilian Honor That Can
Be Awarded In The United States"

Muskogee Phoenix
and Times-Democrat

Copyright © 1998 Muskogee Phoenix
All Rights Reserved

Published in the Muskogee Daily
Phoenix, January 9, 1998

An AP article in today's Muskogee Phoenix reports that former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Wilma Mankiller is being awarded the highest civilian honor that can be awarded in the United States for her work as chief of the Cherokee Nation, promoting the tribe and improving its health care delivery.

Clinton named Mankiller and 14 other Americans as recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Mankiller said she was humbled by the magnitude of the award she will receive at a ceremony January 15 in Washington D.C. It is the nation's highest civilian honor.

"The Medal of Freedom will be accepted on behalf of all Native American people, particularly women, many of whom are much more deserving of this honor than I," said Mankiller, who lives in rural Adair County. "Anything I have ever achieved has been the result of the support, cooperation and assistance of others."

A White House press release noted that Mankiller, 52, was the first elected female chief of a major Indian tribe. She became one of America's highest-profile Indians while heading the tribe from 1985-1995.

"Known for being an effective leader, she has emphasized reducing Cherokee infant mortality, improving health and educational systems and promoting Cherokee business interests," the press release said.

Cherokee Chief Joe Byrd congratulated his predecessor and said she deserved the honor.

"Chief Mankiller dedicated much of her life to the advancement of Native Americans," Byrd said from tribal headquarters in Tahlequah.

Mankiller started her work with the Cherokees as a grant writer. She won three elections to chief. Tribal membership and revenues grew almost 200 percent during her terms, a time when the tribe opened three rural health facilities, expanded its Head Start program and started a center for prevention of drub abuse.

Mankiller said she was flabbergasted by being named to receive the Medal of Freedom. She said it was a privilege to do work that improved people's lives.

"I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with many extraordinary experiences," she said.