~WILMA P MANKILLER ~ WE WILL MISS HER HERE

Wilma P Mankiller

First Woman Chief

of

The Cherokee

"I want to be remembered as the person who helped us restore faith in ourselves" {Wilma P Mankiller}

Wilma P Mankiller the first woman Chief of the Cherokee people crossed into spirit land April 6, 2010 ~ a remarkable woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a leader, a friend…

One of the nations’ most visible leaders this week has died from Cancer… surrounded by those she loved and who loved her, surrounded by the Ancestors waiting to take her home to the spirit land, I feel certain the drummers were drumming, the flutes were playing, singers singing and all were celebrating her home, letting her know her work here was done well… but oh how we will miss her energy, her warrior spirit, and her determination. She has led by example, has fought for many and allowed us to dream in living color along the path teaching little girls across this vast nation that they too can aspire to greatness and settle for nothing less.






"We feel overwhelmed and lost when we realize she has left us, but we should reflect on what legacy she leaves us," current Cherokee Chief Chad Smith said. "We are better people and a stronger tribal nation because her example of Cherokee leadership, statesmanship, humility, grace, determination and decisiveness."






Wilma P. Mankiller was an advocate for women, for people, for those finding their voice and their power and often told others that her friends described her as “someone who liked to dance on the edge of the roof”! She wrote this once, “"I try to encourage young women to be willing to take risks, to stand up for the things they believe in, and to step up and accept the challenge of serving in leadership roles.” Ah, yes, Wilma P Mankiller knew well how to S T O M P! And she taught many as well.






Wilma Mankiller had many brushes with death; had her critics, had her times of hardship… she still continued on her path, she did not allow things or others to get in the way… She had the love of family and friends, the protection of the spirits, she had faith and a soul that could light the world on the cloudiest of days.


After the announcement of stage IV pancreatic cancer Wilma let the world know she was “spiritually and emotionally ready for the journey”, and friends gave her the emails that flooded her account with warm and well wishes from across the world.

She basked in the sun and love of those family and friends, and she had good days.


In the last month of her life she had this to say:


"I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way, but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them. On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. Today I am having a good and blessed day.” She said in an email that I received last month.


The last email from Wilma that many received included this message:


“She is enjoying this beautiful day and believes every day is a Good day. She is steady, calm and at peace with her circumstances. The best way to honor her life and work is to help other people as she has done most of her life.” And for that I give thanks, and so it is!






Yes while we mourn an exceptional leader of the Cherokee, and of all people… we celebrate that we had a wonderful woman in this life, in this world. One that little girls and boys, grown ups and I looked up to and learned that they too could dream large ~


A fierce woman Wilma was, one who at one point took over “Alcatraz” with 79 others, back in the day, one who STOMPED and took a stand for women’s rights and never ever turned her back to what was right, fair and just, including her relations and friends.

 Yes, a great American, a legacy of the First Americans, a woman, a wife, a mother and grandmother… a friend. Oh how we will miss her here on this earth ~ and the gifts she continually gave by her presence, just knowing she was a breath away, still is, always will be.

I will miss you my sister, my warrior, my chief... I will miss the times of greatness, the lessons you taught so many... I will forever be grateful for the miles we have walked and the little ones eyes, the sparkle you created in those eyes of wonder, the enchantment you provided with the wisdom, the fiery moments of the passion through education, the wisdom of the Elders the you so eloquently delivered to so many for so long... Dance in the lights with those who have gone before, sit around the fire knowing that we will be the keepers of the fire here, we will continue your work, we will remember, we will honor, and we will miss Wilma P Mankiller, the first woman chief of the Cherokee! Aho ~ ~ ~ For that I give Thanks, And So It Is ~



STAND UP, STOMP, OUTSHINE THE SUN ~






Saturday the 10Th of April at 11:00 AM at the Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah there will be a memorial service for Wilma P Mankiller. Oh how I would love to be there... I will in spirit, I will be there... on the winds, I whet my breath in spirit for Wilma ~


I would like to ask all the readers here to join me in lighting a candle for our Chief of the Cherokee People, Wilma P Mankiller at that time. 11AM Saturday the 10Th of April at 11:00 AM.
Mine will burn for 24 hours...


A candle that will continue to light her journey, a candle to warm and hold dear those in attendance, a candle to light the way for so many, to celebrate her home to spirit-land… A Candle for A great woman, a Great Leader, A great American…






Wado.






Wherever you are, whatever you are doing today, do it with wonderment, do it with greatness, do it because you can.


The fire is burning brightly… the embers are fiery red, they crackle with their beauty and the hot coals are offering the smoke to rise up in thoughts of prayer, in HOPE of healing ways… To those of you … you know now who you are, messages of healing, HOPE and arms of the angels and protective spirits surround you, providing the strength that you want, that you need…


 You are always on our minds, in our hearts…






Walk In Beauty,


DRSES


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