Wilma Mankiller, was the first female chief of the Cherokee
Nation. She served as principle chief for ten years from 1985 – 1995. In the
video, (a lecture at Sonoma State University) Mankiller addresses inaccuracies
of American views on Native American history, culture, and contemporary life
and issues. She gives brief but detailed information on all aspects of Native
American culture, from tribal government, sovereignty, land, traditional
teachings, cultural assimilation and common stereotypes.
She talks about the context in which Americans view Natives;
there has been little education to inform them of the truth. American education
teaches the youth that the “new world” was discovered by Europeans when in
actuality it was inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years prior to
their arrival. She talks about the media romanticizing and villainizing the
image of Native people (especially women) in print and film. It is here that
the stereotypes of Natives are born. Then she says something that is so profound
that it resonates within my thoughts, “To me its really pretty amazing, how
little many Americans learned about the original inhabitants of this land
called America. Yet, over time Native people have had to learn everything about
the larger society around us…”
I was especially glad to hear Mankiller speak of the
strength and resilience of the Native American people, especially when it comes
to keeping their culture alive. It’s a grim reality that many tribes are in
danger of losing their cultural identity, through the loss of language or the
passing of tribal elders. She explains that tribal elders hold thousands of
years of oral history, and once they pass that history is gone forever. She advocates
the need to work together and preserve, while educating others and work towards
creating a better future.
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