I hope many of you will be people that question why things are and why we have to do them the way we have always done them. I hope you will take some risks, exert some real leadership on issues, and if you will, dance along the edge of the roof as you continue for life.

Wilma Mankiller

The happiest people I've ever met, regardless of their profession, their social standing, or their economic status, are people that are fully engaged in the world around them. The most fulfilled people are the ones who get up every morning and stand for something larger than themselves. They are the people who care about others, who will extend a helping hand to someone in need or will speak up about an injustice when they see it.

Wilma Mankiller

morning being-happy happiness

Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it - and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.

Wilma Mankiller

native-american running inspirational

An Indian is an Indian regardless of the degree of Indian blood or which little government card they do or do not possess.

Wilma Mankiller

government race native-american

Take care how you place your moccasins upon the Earth, step with care, for the faces of the future generations are looking up from the Earth waiting their turn for life.

Wilma Mankiller

environmental waiting steps

Recognizing the good, not just in one's own personal circumstances, but in the world, makes anything possible. When I am asked about the important characteristics of leadership, being of good, positive mind is at the top of my list. If a leader can focus on the meritorious characteristics of other people and try to play to their strengths as well as find value in even the most difficult situation, she can inspire hope and faith in others and motivate them to move forward.

Wilma Mankiller

difficult-situations leadership moving

If you argue with a fool, someone passing by will not be able to tell who is the fool and who is not.

Wilma Mankiller

passing-by fool able

Remember that I am just a woman who is living a very abundant life. Every step I take forward is on a path paved by strong Indian women before me.

Wilma Mankiller

strong path steps

The secret of our success is that we never, never give up.

Wilma Mankiller

moving-on success inspirational

Whoever controls the education of our children controls the future.

Wilma Mankiller

our-children children

Women in leadership roles can help restore balance and wholeness to our communities.

Wilma Mankiller

balance roles community

In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.

Wilma Mankiller

women people past

Friends describe me as someone who likes to sing and dance along the edge of the roof. 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.

Wilma Mankiller

risk challenges believe

Though many non-Native Americans have learned very little about us, over time we have had to learn everything about them. We watch their films, read their literature, worship in their churches, and attend their schools. Every third-grade student in the United States is presented with the concept of Europeans discovering America as a "New World" with fertile soil, abundant gifts of nature, and glorious mountains and rivers. Only the most enlightened teachers will explain that this world certainly wasn't new to the millions of indigenous people who already lived here when Columbus arrived.

Wilma Mankiller

native-american teacher school

I don't think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization without talking about education. Whoever controls the education of our children controls our future.

Wilma Mankiller

future education children

Look forward. Turn what has been done into a better path.

Wilma Mankiller

done path looks

Growth is a painful process.

Wilma Mankiller

veils growth moving

I've run into more discrimination as a woman than as an Indian.

Wilma Mankiller

discrimination indian running

My ability to survive personal crises is really a mark of the character of my people. Individually and collectively, we must react with a tenacity that allows us again and again to bounce back from adversity.

Wilma Mankiller

adversity character people

Every single person has leadership ability. Some step up and take them. Some don't. My answer was to step up and lead.

Wilma Mankiller

step-up answers steps

I think the most important issue we have as a people is what we started, and that is to begin to trust our own thinking again and belive in ourselves enough to think that we can articulate our own vision of the future and then work to make sure that that vision becomes a reality.

Wilma Mankiller

future trust reality