Wilma Mankiller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVLgwpHSYv0

       What a great video. This video is a talk that Wilma Mankiller game at Sonoma University in California. She was a 3 time chief of her tribe and has been very involved in tribal politics and the politics of Native Americans in her home state of California. She is an author of many books and has recieved numerous awards. She explains that women are important to many tribes and gives quite a bit of information about the Onondaga Tribe which is women run. She also explains what sovereignty is, (George Bush should watch her video). She also gives a good easy explanation on how different tribes acquire their leaders, such as through democratic votes. She explains how many tribes face similar problems such as poverty, loss of land base and other issues but that many tribes have individual qualities too. She talks about a positive attitude and how her attitude has helped her immensely over the years to get through difficult times. Something I'm glad she talked about is misconceptions and how a lack of education is responsible for many misconceptions. She states that some visitors to her reservation actually expected to see "Indians dressed in buckskins" on Main St. Very silly. She comes across as a well educated and easy going woman who really feels passionately about her people. A good video, well worth watching.