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.