Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to become chief of the Cherokee Nation. She was chief from 1985 to 1995 (wiki). As I researched this inspirational woman, I realized that she had many great accomplishments. Wilma spent 3 terms as chief and in that time she developed projects for men and women to work together for the “common good,” in which they developed tribally owned businesses, improving infrastructure and building a hydroelectric facility. She also improved the relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the United States. This improved government to government negotiations (wiki). Wilma also helped fund the Cherokee Nation Community Development Department, revived Sequoyah High School, and won several awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1993 Mankiller was elected in the National Women’s Hall of Fame (wiki).

In October of 2008, Wilma participated in a lecture on Indigenous land, culture, and community at the Heard Museum in Arizona. Wilma spoke of the challenges of Indigenous people of the 21^st century.

She begins with educating listeners with the diversity of Indigenous people. There is enormous diversity among indigenous people in culture, language, history and each has a “unique way of life” according to Mankiller. She also touches upon the fact that there is too little accurate information about indigenous people in literature, films, pop culture and our educational system. Mankiller educates us that the lack of knowledge of indigenous peoples and that so few people know it, actually feeds the stereotypes of the “troubled descendants of savages” or the romanticized character of a “spiritual child of nature who is incapable of higher thought” (video).  She truly stresses diversity and its importance. She brings to light that too often people think that just because they met one Native American, that they know all Indians and just because you hear a tribal language, it does not mean there is only that language spoke among tribes.

Wilma also informs us that there are things that indigenous people have in common. I think the most common is the interdependence with the natural world. Indigenous people believe they are one with the earth, they have a deep understanding of this and that they feel a deep interdependence with all other life and that it’s “their duty to protect the natural world”(video). There is a true respect for all living things, not just humans. More importantly she stresses the need to protect the natural world and its resources to preserve mankind and the of the earths creatures.

As she progresses with this lecture, Wilma presents incite to values, traditions, culture and language. I liked that she speaks of the importance of stories. Natives use them as a way of preserving the traditions and culture. She also points out that stories are “collective memories” of the people and how it was in the past, what is happening now in the world we are in today and the prophecies and predictions of what will happen if we forget our duty to the world (video). Mankiller explains that ceremonies and giving thanks is a way to remind indigenous people of this duty and show respect to the natural world. What I took from her words are the values and traditions that many indigenous people hold on to even after suffering so many tragedies and oppression. She also mentions this is a big difference between indigenous people and nonindigenous people as indigenous people keep constant reminders through ceremonies, stories and giving thanks that others do not which leads to them forgetting the importance of the natural world and to whom they are and where they have been. They forget who they are in general.

Wilma speaks of the challenges facing the 21^st century indigenous peoples. She says that indigenous leaders are beginning to understand that public perception is important and that there is a link between this perception and public policy (video). The 21^st century needs models and that it is important to frame their own issues or the public surely will. She believes that indigenous people need to become curators, filmmakers, doctors and members of the world that can bring light to the indigenous people but not to forget to hold onto traditions and tribal identity. There is a need to have better representation of indigenous people or as we have seen in the past, the public will create one which leads to those stereotyped in films, media and pop culture.

She gives us positive thoughts for the future. She made a great point that throughout the years and all the suffering that indigenous people are still here, that they have survived massacres, loss of land, loss of culture, war, resources, and rights but they are still standing. Mankiller is optimistic about the future and that tribal communities will still be here as they have already endured so much yet they are still here and it is important to hold on to culture practices, to values, and responsibility to community and each other. Indigenous people know how to adapt to change.  One thing I think she is trying to stress is to keep tribal identity while enduring changes.

Mankiller suggests a few things for indigenous people. She reminds tribal leaders that they must figure out how to embrace all of the knowledge system and to maintain the entire system not just some of the aspects. This is beneficial to all not just indigenous people. Again she stresses preservation.

The battle for human and land rights will continue but Wilma says that there has been advantages and it is getting better. She makes mention of the Resolution set forth by the United Nations recognizing the support of the rights of indigenous people around the world despite the opposition of the government of the United States and the Australian government as just one example of the positive changes going on in the world. She reminds indigenous people that it is now important to make sure those rights continue to be honored and protected.

As I mentioned before she stresses the presentation of good models of indigenous people. She urges them to go out and leave their “foot prints” in the world but to return home and not to forget their identity.  Wilma believes that it is good to acknowledge past injustices but not to have anger in your heart and that it is imperative not to be paralyzed by what is going on in their communities.  I think we all could learn a life lesson from these cherished words. No one should live with anger in their hearts. I want to close with acknowledging Wilma’s closing Mohawk proverb that she quotes as I think it may have been the most touching part of her lecture to this listener. Wilma Mankiller repeats “It is hard to see the future with tears in our eyes” (video).  This is powerful, truthful and a phrase all humans can relate to.

Note to all readers: We lost this great woman in 2010 to health issues but she definitely left her foot print on the world.

References

Wilma Mankiller. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 24, 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilma_Mankiller.

Wilma Mankiller. Challenges facing the 21^st Century Indigenous People. Lecture on Indigenous land, culture and community.  October 2, 2008. Arizona State University. Published on Dec 10, 2013.  Retrieved August 22, 2017 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_rVUmV7Y8&feature=youtu.be.