There is something at the Center for everyone. It is safe place to go even if we only want hang out
Wima Mankiller came from a large family that spent many years on the family farm in Oklahoma. She grown up in a home without electricity, indoor plumbing, or telephone. She loves read, one of the best gift that her father gave to her is the love of books and reading.
Here in Alcatraz, where last some Native Americans that truly began to regain the balance
In 1950 Mankiller family was relocated. In 1959 the family was forced to moved to San Francisco, where Wilma began her junior high school year. She miss the farm and hate white kids that teased her about being Native American .
My enthusiasm seemed to make up for my lack of skills
Mankiller decided to leave her parents and go to live with her maternal grandmother, Pearl Sitton, on a family ranch inland from San Francisco Bay. Here, Mankiller became politicized and reforce her identity as a Cherokee .
Long time ago
In November 1969 Mankiller participed in her first major political action, when a group of Native Americans occupied Alcatraz Island in a protest of U.S Government policies, which had years, deprived them of their lands.
Mankiller became more active in the year followed the occupation in cultural resources of the Community. She helped build a school and an Indian Adult Education Center. She hosting music concerts, and giving kids a place to do their homework or just connect with each others.
Alcatraz Island has been taken over by indigenous people and declared Indian Island. Long time before Europeans arrived, Ohlones and other indigenous rested and got their bearing on the Island. Modocs and other tribal were imprisioned for fighting the U.S Army in the attempt to retain homeland. Now the descendants of indigenous joined others at Alcatraz to find their bearing.