M5 Post

In this module I reviewed a speech given by Wilma Mankiller at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona in 2008. Mankiller served as the first female chief for the Cherokee Nation until her health forced her to step down in 1995. Since then, Mankiller remained a spokesperson and activist for indigenous peoples and women’s rights. (“Wilma Mankiller”).
In her speech, Mankiller talks about interconnectedness and the continuity of different indigenous communities. She mentions that there are numerous different indigenous peoples scattered throughout the world, with many differences between them, but also much common ground. She also comments that the work of indigenous community activists does not “happen in a vacuum” (Librarychannel).
I think that this theme of pan-humanity is a powerful one and universally relatable. This then, is the struggle that indigenous people face in the current century. It’s the struggle for recognition of our shared humanity.
Wilma Mankiller’s speech is definitely a quality resource on the subject of Native American people. It’s a primary source that does much to educate people about indigenous people’s needs and humanity.
I feel that the purpose of turning our learning into a blog is to spread the learning and the knowledge beyond the theoretical corners of our classroom and generate more quality material on the subject of indigenous people. The more knowledge out there, the better!


Librarychannel. "Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People." YouTube. December 10, 2013. Accessed August 24, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_rVUmV7Y8&feature=youtu.be.

"Wilma Mankiller." Biography.com. April 02, 2014. Accessed August 24, 2017. https://www.biography.com/people/wilma-mankiller-214109.

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 25, 2017 at 6:45 PM

    I truly enjoyed learning about Wilma Mankiller. I like that you pointed out her comments about being an activist in indigenous work. She received so many awards for her work. I thought that she made several great points in her speech. Her mention that she felt positive about the future and that indigneous people would be here as they have survived hundreds of years already was good to hear that she was looking at the brighter side. good post.

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  2. UnknownAugust 28, 2017 at 8:33 PM

    I agree her speech was one of hope. I liked that she also talked about how indigenous people are often overlook by the public and not understood and often stereotyped.She came across as very intelligent and knowledgeable.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2017 at 7:33 PM

    Hi Batsheva,
    Great post . It is in today's world and more particularly with the current tone being evoked in Washington D.C. by the current administration that I wish that Chief Mankiller was still with us . We will get on with out her but I think that we would all agree that we could use her insight in not only the United Sates but in the world right now .

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