The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma released details on the memorial service for Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010), who was the first woman to lead the tribe.

The memorial takes place on Saturday, April 10, at 11am at the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds in Tahlequah. Media are invited to attend the event and to check in by 10am.

Speakers at the memorial service will include:
Charlie Soap, Chief Mankiller’s husband
Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Honorable Chief Judge Robert Henry
Ross O. Swimmer, Former Principal Chief
John A. Ketcher, Former Deputy Principal Chief
Gloria Steinem, activist and friend
Bob Friedman & Kristina Kiehl, friends
Felicia Olaya & Gina Olaya, Chief Mankiller’s daughters
Jay Hannah, Cherokee Nation citizen

The tribe asks that everyone respect the privacy of the family and attendees during the service.

Directions from Tulsa:
Take Muskogee Turnpike to Hwy 62 East
Exit Hwy 62 East at the Tahlequah/Ft. Gibson exit
Travel East approximately 15 miles
Pass Sequoyah High School and the Cherokee Nation Tribal Complex on the right
Turn right (south) at S. Bald Hill Road (S. 510 Rd).
Travel south approximately 1 mile, past Talking Leaves Job Corps
Turn right (east) on W. 810 Rd.
Travel approximately 1 mile; Cultural Grounds are on the left hand side of the road.

Relevant Documents:
CNO Press Release | White House Statement | DOI Statement

Related Stories:
NPR: Remembering Wilma Mankiller, former Cherokee chief (4/8)
Nation mourns loss of Wilma Mankiller, ex-Cherokee chief (4/7)
Tulsa World: Wilma Mankiller led Cherokees to prominence (4/7)
Muskogee Phoenix: Wilma Mankiller leaves a great legacy (4/7)
Wilma Mankiller, former Cherokee Nation chief, passes on (4/6)
Former Cherokee chief Mankiller diagnosed with cancer (4/3)