A Modern Mankiller: How One Cherokee Woman is Tackling the Housing Crisis with Tradition and Innovation

Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, left an indelible mark on her community and beyond. In her 1992 commencement address at Northern Arizona University, she challenged graduates to actively participate in solving societal problems, rejecting the passive expectation that "they" would handle everything. Three decades later, Mankiller’s words resonate deeply as the challenges she highlighted – environment, housing, and homelessness – continue to plague communities across the nation.

In northeastern Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation, a sovereign entity of over 450,000 citizens, grapples with these persistent issues. But alongside these challenges exists the enduring spirit of taking action, a spirit embodied by individuals like Amanda Thompson. At 41, Thompson is a modern-day "keeper of the village," drawing inspiration from her Cherokee heritage and applying innovative solutions to address the pressing housing crisis.

Thompson’s journey began in nursing, a field she initially pursued for its financial stability as a single mother. However, her experiences in healthcare exposed her to the harsh realities faced by many struggling to afford housing, recognizing the profound impact housing instability had on her patients’ health and overall well-being. Witnessing families and individuals struggling to secure safe and affordable housing ignited a desire within her to find a solution.

"Our own children can’t afford a place," Thompson lamented, observing the growing housing affordability gap in the greater Tulsa area. She also recognized the needs of older adults on fixed incomes, especially those relying on in-home care, including her own mother. These observations were confirmed by regional studies, including a 2024 Cherokee Nation housing study that identified a need for nearly 9,000 new housing units. The city of Tulsa itself estimated the need for several thousand additional units to meet the growing demand.

Driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, Thompson, her husband Jake, and a partner embarked on a mission to find creative solutions to the housing shortage. Jake’s extensive experience in luxury residential construction initially seemed promising, but the group quickly realized that the luxury market was far removed from the needs of those struggling to find affordable housing. Discouraged by the prevalence of unaffordable new homes being built around them, they sought an alternative approach.

The turning point came when they explored the possibility of partnering with shed building companies to mass produce homes that met housing code standards. This seed of an idea blossomed into Prime Craftsman Homes, a company dedicated to building small, modular homes in a factory setting, shielded from the unpredictable Oklahoma weather that often causes costly construction delays.

"We knew we wanted to do it indoors, so we can just keep it assembly-line style and mass produce them," Thompson explained. Her vision wasn’t limited to building a few homes for specific individuals; she aimed to tackle the housing crisis on a large scale, providing affordable housing solutions for anyone across America in need.

Launching Prime Craftsman Homes in 2024 brought a new set of challenges. Thompson grappled with questions about marketing, target audiences, and whether she would be taken seriously as a woman in the male-dominated construction industry.

In a moment of serendipity, Thompson discovered the University of Tulsa Cherokee Women’s AcceleratHER Fellowship, a program designed to empower Cherokee women founders and help them scale their businesses. Recognizing it as a sign, she applied and was selected as part of the second cohort, gaining access to mentorship, strategic guidance, and funding.

Kathy Taylor, former mayor of Tulsa and dean of the University of Tulsa’s business school, spearheaded the program, recognizing the need for dedicated support for Native American entrepreneurs. "I researched around the nation and could find no group that specifically supported native founders," Taylor said, emphasizing the importance of providing a safe space, networking opportunities, and mentorship for those facing similar challenges.

Taylor lauded Thompson’s innovative approach to addressing the housing crisis, noting that women-owned businesses often have a social impact alongside their for-profit goals. The AcceleratHER program proved instrumental in accelerating Prime Craftsman Homes’ growth, leading to the completion of nine tiny homes for Eden Village, a homeless community in Tulsa, in early 2025. Eden Village has since expressed interest in having Prime Craftsman Homes build 27 more units.

Since mid-2024, Prime Craftsman Homes has built a total of 47 homes and has become certified as a contractor for the Cherokee Nation. Thompson hopes this will open doors to even more business, while acknowledging the interest she’s already received from people across the country.

For Thompson, the construction process is just as important as the finished product. She’s committed to partnering with the Cherokee Nation’s work program for released felons, offering them employment opportunities and a chance to reset their lives. "We don’t just want to build buildings, we want to build humans too," she emphasized.

Gary Merritt, a 64-year-old formerly homeless construction worker, is one such individual whose life has been transformed by Thompson’s vision. After struggling with homelessness and food insecurity, Merritt now lives on the premises of Prime Craftsman’s factory, working as a carpenter, security guard, and offering his services wherever needed. Thompson plans to make him the owner of one of Prime Craftsman’s manufactured homes.

"The little homes are perfect for a person like me," Merritt said, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity and the love he feels from Amanda and Jake.

Gregory Smithers, a professor of indigenous history at Virginia Commonwealth University, highlights the connection between Thompson’s work and Cherokee culture, particularly the concept of "Gadugi," which emphasizes working collectively for a common good. Thompson’s commitment to mutual respect, empathy, and reciprocity aligns with this cultural value.

Smithers also emphasizes that Thompson’s efforts belong to a long line of Cherokee women who have historically served as keepers of the community and provided leadership in a communal context. Thompson is reclaiming traditions and roles that have long been associated with Cherokee women and women in matrilineal indigenous societies.

Thompson’s journey into the construction industry has pushed her outside of her comfort zone, requiring her to navigate unfamiliar spheres. She balances the need to wear business suits with the hands-on work of handing out hard hats to workers on the factory floor. Despite the challenges, she remains focused on her mission.

"This is not about male or female or whatever," she said. "This is about a huge problem that we’re facing that I want to solve."

Amanda Thompson embodies the spirit of Wilma Mankiller’s call to action. By combining her Cherokee heritage, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to her community, she’s not only building homes, but also building hope and opportunity for those in need. She is a modern-day Mankiller, a keeper of the village, and a testament to the power of one person to make a meaningful difference.