Interspersed with the story of Wilma Mankiller's life is a brief history of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and comments on unrealistic and negative stereotypes of Native Americans. In addition to recounting her life and achievements leading up to becoming the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation, the book explores Wilma Mankiller's philosophy of life and her approach to her work. Wilma Mankiller believes that the biggest problem in Cherokee communities is not housing and water, but people's idea that they are helpless to change their situation. Native Americans can solve their problems by trusting their own thinking enough to believe that they can improve their lives. Chapters cover Wilma's early years in Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Cherokee history; Wilma's adolescence and young adult years in San Francisco and her college experience; experiences that led her to become a community planner for the Cherokee Nation; community development projects; tribal politics, election campaigns, and gender bias; her election as principal chief; and her mission to educate mainstream America about Native Americans. Contains a glossary, a list for further reading, photographs, illustrations, and an index. (TD)