Remenbering Wilma Mankiller

 

                Wilma Mankiller spoke of her personal experience of being part of the Indian of Bureau Affairs relocation program. She was removed from Oklahoma and relocated to San Francisco California with her family. Her family was placed in a low income housing project called Hunter's Point which was made up of mostly African American people. She described how the community worked together to succeed rather than relying on the leaders  f the community to do it for them. She believed the "go-to" people in the grassroots community needed to work together to solve common problems, that they need to believe in their own voice. (Mankiller 2008)

                What I learned from watching her interview is that change has to begin with yourself. You can rely on lawmakers and government to decide what is good for you and then live with the consequences. You need to look within yourself and your community, come up with solutions collectively and then work together with your combined skills and voices to make the change occur successfully.

               

                Wilma Mankiller passed away in April of 2010. In a WSKG Public Radio clip, she was remembered for changing her life towards the Cherokee approach after a 1979 car accident that almost killed her. She was quoted as saying " I think the Cherokee approach to life is being able to continually move forward with kind of a good mind and not focus on the negative things in your life and the negative things you see around you, but focus on the positive things and try to look at the larger picture and keep moving forward," Mankiller explained. "[It] also taught me to look at the larger things in life rather than focusing on small things, and it's also awfully, awfully hard to rattle me after having faced my own mortality ... so the things I learned from those experiences actually enabled me to lead. Without those experiences, I don't think I would have been able to lead. I think I would have gotten caught up in a lot of nonsensical things." (WSKG Public Radio 2010) Her thoughts on women serving in office in the Cherokee Nation tribe. At first there was opposition, but after 10 years in office, she stated the people most supportive of her were the older and more traditional people in her tribe. She and her husband felt they realized that they remembered their history, and a time when women held more significant roles, leading to more balance between the men and women of the tribe. (WSKG Public Radio 2010) Her thoughts in this piece are reminiscent of her ideas in the Indian of Bureau Affairs interview on working together and trusting in yourself.

Mankiller, W. (2008) "Governance, Leadership, and the Cherokee Nation." Leading Native Nations interview series. Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy, University of Arizona. Tucson, Arizona. Retrieved from: https://nnidatabase.org/video/wilma-mankiller-governance-leadership-and-cherokee-nation

WSKG Public Radio (2010) Remembering First Female Chief of Cherokee Nation. Retrieved from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125668640

Photo:

 Retrieved on 9-3-15 from: https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrB8peD9uhVqTsAYRMunIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIzaDI3MWZ0BHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM4MWEyYzJlYTkyZjRkZjA2YWQ2MDg1MjZjYThhMzM0MgRncG9zAzYyBGl0A2Jpbmc-?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dwilma%2Bmankiller%2Binterview%26fr%3Dyhs-mozilla-004%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26hsimp%3Dyhs-004%26hspart%3Dmozilla%26nost%3D1%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D62&w=600&h=413&imgurl=www.gilmerfreepress.net%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2FCartoon10041101.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Firenemahler.girlshopes.com%2Fbrianjoecherokeenation%2F&size=66.4KB&name=Indianz.com+%26gt%3B+Politics+%26gt%3B+Federal+Recognition&p=wilma+mankiller+interview&oid=81a2c2ea92f4df06ad608526ca8a3342&fr2=piv-web&fr=yhs-mozilla-004&tt=Indianz.com+%26gt%3B+Politics+%26gt%3B+Federal+Recognition&b=61&ni=21&no=62&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11pckktoq&sigb=14roe0jbq&sigi=11qe4ga4q&sigt=11if262t4&sign=11if262t4&.crumb=6hExgIsN9RT&fr=yhs-mozilla-004&fr2=piv-web&hsimp=yhs-004&hspart=mozilla

 

Willma Mankiller: Former Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

source: http://www.buzzquotes.com/wilma-mankiller-quotes

The Wilma Mankiller video was very informative.  Wilma Mankiller is an indigenous leader who served as the chief for the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma for ten years, as well as an author.  I really enjoyed learning more about her thoughts regarding sovereignty for Native Americans.  She talked about Native Americans needing to be in charge of their own destiny, which I really understood and feel is a radical (in a good way) idea to consider.  Often times, Native Americans are only thought of as being a small part of the United States, instead of being their own people with their own destiny that could be different from the rest of the country. 

I feel that the quality of the source is very high because Wilma Mankiller was mainly asked to share her feelings and opinions without too much interference.  As viewers, we are learning about Wilma’s perspective, which is helpful given that a lot the information we have learned about Native Americans over the years (outside of this class) often came from non-Natives.  In other words we are getting an insider’s perspective.

I think blogging and reading other posts about Native American sources is very helpful because it exposes students to information and sources that were previously unknown.  I think we were encouraged to put some of this information into a more public space because we can help other people learn more about Native Americans.  We, as students, can help other people think of Native American outside of stereotypes and misconceptions.  We can bring that information with us and educate others.

Works Cited

 

“Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership and the Cherokee Nation.” Nnidatabase.org. The University of Arizona, 29 September 2008. Web. 1 September 2015.

Wilma Mankiller

     For my blog, I selected Wilma Mankiller who was interviewed by the group called Leading Native Nations" Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, September 29, 2008. Her interview discusses many issues related to governance, leadership and the Cherokee Nation for which she was the first female Cherokee Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. The message that Wilma was advocating was a message that included dialogue in the following areas:

( ) Indicates location/time elapsed in video

v  Sovereignty (0)

v  Good native communities (2)

v  Challenges with respect to Cultural, Economic and Social (4)

v  Dispossession (6)

v  Survival (9)

v  Interdependence and community support (11)

v  Natives in politics (Geneva) (16)

v  The profound impact of occupying Alcatraz (18)

v  The Bell Community struggles and accomplishments (20)

v  Self Efficiency (25)

v  Advancement of trial accountability (28)

v  Reformations to Cherokee Nations Constitution (29)

v  Woman advancement in government (33)

v  Leadership and education (35)

v  Listening, consulting and leadership (35)

v  Cherokee Nations History Courses (36)

v  Cherokee Nations Language Revitalization (37)

v  Problem solving within the community (38)

v  Native stereotypes (42)

v  Public perception driving public policy (44)

     This discussion was insightful and intellectually sponsored. The selection of this material for the First Peoples course was specific in nature to indigenous people’s advancement within the United States.

     I believe the website was credible as it provides insight into the life of a primary person. Primary person is with respect to authenticity of the interviewee and her native lineage within the Cherokee Nation. Therefore, it is without question that the source of this interview is credible within academia.

     Using different media types to educate and focus awareness is the primary goal of the Native American Journal Blog. Research and dissemination are the primary drivers. Blogs will also be posted for long periods of time for others to view and make comments on. This is the reason I believe I was asked to share this information within the blogging community rather than the virtual classroom.  

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wilma Mankiller, Empire State College, Pan Indian Visions of the Future, Week 15, M5 Overview, Learning Activities, Wilma Mankiller Video, Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership and the Cherokee Nation, The University of Arizona, Accessed 08-26-15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wilma Mankiller

         I posted another video that I found of Wilma Mankiller and how she speaks of the indigenous people and how they must all become one with the earth and how all must respect all other groups and their struggles also. Stories and rituals of the Native Americans remind them of how important the land is and how one must respect the earth in order to respect themselves. People need to think of the natural wonders of the world. Indigenous people are very devoted to one another and sharing is still important even with all that they have been through. She speaks of the self help movement and interdependence. She speaks of how their rights were disregarded and many fell into troubles such as unemployment, alcoholism and drugs. She also speaks of the indigenous people suffering because their children were taken from them to attend boarding schools far away. She speaks not only of the Native Americans but other indigenous groups around the world such as the people of the rain forest that face the same indignities. Outsiders do not fully understand the indigenous people because of lack of knowledge which causes stereotypes that are harmful to the children. Indigenous people must stand up for themselves in order for others to do the same. They have to prove to people who they really are and what their history really is. She speaks of how many tribes run their own schools, hospitals and such. She also speaks of how people view all Native Americans as the same although each nation has their own culture and background. Each community is unique. Indigenous people, in the future, must look to the past and how they have survived. Then they will know that they can survive the future also.

Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People

Wilma Mankiller, A true leader

Wilma Mankiller, became the first female ever elected as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma In 1985. I have learned during my Studies of the Cherokee being Warriors and taking a stand against the Americans on numerous occasions. I was initially intrigued with her name “Mankiller” what was the significance? Was it part of her upbringing, did she earn the name to become Chief? As the interview proceeds it is revealed her Grandfather was named ‘Yone’, which meant Bear and subsequently was interpreted as Mankiller.

Wilma spoke in a mild, soft tone and professed her love of the Cherokee people, in describing many of her life experiences in the interview. Having lived from 1945 to 2010 she experienced many effects and the consequences of the US Government actions and laws such as the Dawes and Curtis Acts and the land allotment which displaced many of the Indians and weakened their representation.

Wilma describes her family’s plight as a participant in the Bureau of Indian Affairs relocation program, her family was moved to a housing project in San Francisco, California. It was a point of development for Wilma as it educated her in Life lessons where urban black poor families developed interdependence, responsibility for others in your community in order to live and survive and possibly succeed.

As a young housewife Wilma joined the Indian protest occupation of Alcatraz around 1970.  This involvement provided another important piece of knowledge which helped shape her manner of thinking. She met people with leadership skills who were able to articulate their feelings they had about being Indian and the fundamental rights they earned and conditions under which Indian tribes were living. One of those leaders was Richard Oakes, a Mohawk who was ‘very articulate and very clear about the importance of tribal citizens taking ownership in rebuilding their communities.

Wilma was able to mold those principles amongst some others and earn the vote of the Cherokee Nation and become elected into leadership position as Deputy Chief in 1983 which eventually lead to her assenting to become Chief. Her leadership skills and making the Cherokee Nation become independent of Government dependence reinvigorated the tribe in adding Cherokee language and history to be taught to the children, and new tribal employees to maintain the history and pride in their heritage.

Wilma enjoyed much success as Chief and received many accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1998. She impressed me with her demeanor and ability to express herself as a leader showing clear understanding of where her ancestors have been and where she sees them going for the future. She was an established Author telling her story in a book Mankiller a Chief and Her People. A very impressive woman, and no she is not at all a Mankiller.

Sources

The University of Arizona, Indigenous Governance Database Interview, Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership and the Cherokee Nation, 

Remembering Wilma Mankiller; www.Cherokee .org; http://www.cherokee.org/News/Stories/31956.aspxAccessed August 25, 2015 https://nnidatabase.org/video/wilma-mankiller-governance-leadership-and-cherokee-nation 

The Peoples Paths Home Page , Mankiller Receives highest Civilian Honor; Russell Mills Jan 15, 1998 Photo courtesy NBC Newschannel; http://www.yvwiiusdinvnohii.net/Cherokee/News/Jan98/wilma-mankiller-pres.JPG

Mankiller A Chief and Her People; Wilma Mankiller and Michael Wallis, 1993, St. Martins Press, New York, NY Cover

Willma Mankiller’s video shared the past, present and future of Native Americans.   As stated in her video, Mankiller was the first female Chief of the Cherokee.  She led the Cherokee from 1985-1999 and in 1998, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then President Bill Clinton, which is the highest award given to a civilian (1).  Mankiller speaks from the heart regarding her first-hand experience with regards to things like land allotment and relocation.  Additionally, she talks about living in poverty within a multicultural setting.

At first I thought this was going to be another well-constructed and organized presentation regarding the trials and tribulations of a living Native American.  Not that I am downplaying the events that took place or the struggles still present for living Native Americans.  However, throughout this course I personally feel like I have been waiting to learn about an Indian leader whose focus is not so much on what has happened in the past but what do we need to do in the future.  Then, Willma Mankiller used the words ownership and accountability.  These are phrases we had yet to hear in our journey through this course and learning about the first peoples of North America.  Anyone can tell that much of Mankiller’s drive is a result of past events but her insight into what needs to take place for Native Americans to achieve whatever goals or accomplishments moving forward was motivating and no doubt one of the reasons she made such a great impact and achieved the recognition she did.

Mankiller talked about Native Americans taking ownership of their lives and not relying on others to fulfill their destiny.  She talked about Native Americans taking ownership of their communities and utilizing all the human resources available.  Coming together as whole, working together and that within their community they have all that they need.

She not only spoke inspirationally about ownership and accountability, she also explained how to do it.  Mankiller touched on the global problems faced by indigenous people on every continent, however, she addressed the point that not everything is a major problem and that larger, seemingly impossible problems, can be broken down into much smaller and digestible tasks that are easily obtainable throw the collaborated efforts of most Native American communities.

This video for me was the perfect resolution for this course.  I knew going into this course that much of what I was going to learn and be exposed to would be, for lack of a better word, depressing.  This video provides the realization that the Native American culture is not lost and that there is hope and a future for Native Americans in America.

 

 

Works Cited:

1. Mankiller, Wilma:  Governance, Leadership and the Cherokee Nation.  September 28, 2008.  <https://nnidatabase.org/video/wilma-mankiller-governance-leadership-and-cherokee-nation>