By Judy Riggenbach

One of the most notable and respected women of Prescott, Viola Jimulla, was the first Chieftess of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. She led the tribe for 26 years.

She was born Sica-tuva, meaning "born quickly" on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation around June of 1878. While attending Rice Arizona Indian School, she took the name Viola.

Around 1900 when the Yavapai were allowed to return to their homelands, she moved to the Prescott vicinity to live with her family. In 1901, she married Sam "Red Ants" Jimulla and became an active part of the tribal, as well as the Prescott, community.

Viola’s husband was appointed chief of the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the mid-1930s and was officially elected chief by the tribe. After Sam’s accidental death in 1940, Viola became Chieftess of the Prescott Yavapais, thus becoming the first Chieftess in the North American West. Viola guided her tribe with wisdom and kindness until her death in 1966. Her leadership helped the Yavapais achieve better living conditions and bridged the Indian and Anglo cultures. Viola’s personal strengths and skills helped her people adapt and grow with the surrounding Anglo community. Although she formed a bridge between the two cultures, she still honored the traditions of her tribe.

Viola was a master basket weaver using traditional Yavapai symbols representing mountains, animals, people and celestial images. One of her baskets became the official Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribal Seal which illustrates the Yavapai creation story. Both the Indian and white man of this current world are displayed in perfect symmetry, suggesting a goal of living in harmony.

Not only was Viola a great leader for her tribe, she was also influential in religion. She helped found the United Presbyterian Church of Prescott and was, in 1922, the first Yavapai to be baptized. She and others of the tribe revitalized the Yavapai Indian Reservation to become the Presbyterian Mission. Viola served the mission as an elder, a Sunday School superintendent and interpreter. In 1950, she became a commissioner to the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati where she made a speech on behalf of the mission. In 1951, the mission became an organized church and later, in 1957, it was reorganized as the Trinity Presbyterian Church recognizing the three founding entities – the new Presbyterians in Prescott, the founding church, and the Presbyterian Indian people.

Under Viola’s leadership, The Yavapai-Prescott Tribal Council was formed to better ensure the people’s voice in their own governing. Viola and Sam had five daughters. Two of her daughters, Grace Mitchell and Lucy Miller, followed in their mother’s footsteps after her death and became chieftess of the tribe.

In 1986, Viola Jimulla was elected to the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.

Prescott Meals on Wheels is honoring Viola by naming their dining facility, "The Viola Jimulla Dining Room." Located at the Rowle P. Simmons Community Center, 1280 E. Rosser Street, the dining room, with seating for 140 patrons and additional patio space, serves nutritional lunches daily. Monday, September 20th will be the dedication of the dining room. The public is invited to the reception from 3-5 p.m. featuring several of Viola’s descendants. A blessing by the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe will be the highlight of the gala event.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(po2575p) Reuse only by permission.

Viola Jimulla, shown here c.1965, was a prodigious basketmaker who strove to keep the art of weaving alive. The Yavapais have created some of the most beautiful basketry in the world using yucca and devil’s claw, their hallmark. At Viola’s encouragement, the new generations of Yavapai are continuing the craft of their ancestors.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(iny2108pb) Reuse only bypermission.

Viola Jimulla, 1960, Yavapai-Prescott Chieftess.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(po2504pc) Reuse only bypermission.

In 1965, then in her 80s, Viola Jimulla was still teaching basketry to her tribal young women.