The Nation - News from June 22, 1987

Wilma Mankiller, the first woman chief of a major Indian tribe, has been forced into a runoff in her bid for a four-year term as head of the 72,000-member Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. Mankiller, who was appointed chief in 1985, will face Perry Wheeler, a funeral director, in the runoff July 18, officials in Tahlequah said. With the unofficial count of all 34 precincts completed, Mankiller had 45% of the vote, with Wheeler getting 29%. A runoff is required when no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. Mankiller succeeded Ross Swimmer, who was named to head the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.