WIlma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller was born in Oklahoma, and became the first Cherokee female chief in 1985. She was a major Civil rights activist, but due to illness she did not "seek re-election" in 1995. In her speech, she states that most American woman do not know much about Native woman, other than Sacagawea. This actually seems like a very spot on statement, maybe throw in Pocahontas and there ends the knowledge of native woman. She claims that there are many negative stereotypes towards native woman due to TV, media, and film, which is very much true.

I did find that while what Wilma had to say was extremely interesting, it was hard to listen to her speak and it almost felt like she was just droning on and on with not much tone in her voice. I had to actually google her, to get a better aspect of what she said to be able to actually comprehend it. From what I did gather, she seemed like an extremely passionate woman, who had nothing but the best interest for her people and led her people through very difficult times for 2 decades, standing up for women rights in everything she did.

I find it extremely honorable that American Indians have had woman rights, and women were considered "equal" to men long before  the American people began to accept equal rights. It also stood out to me a something that I realized a few weeks ago. Wilma points out that it amazes her, that so many white Americans, know nothing about the people who have inhabited this land long before Europeans ever set foot on it. Yet, The American Indians were forced to learn about the American people and were not given a choice about being integrated into society. Learning English, reading literature, going to church, dressing like white folk as well as the day to day life of the American culture.

When asked by tourists visiting Cherokee land, "where are all the Indians" Wilma responded often with "truthfully, they're probably at Kmart". This got a laugh from her audience as well as from me. Subconsciously we all think that natives still live in their sheepskin/buckskin, feathered hats and teepees; even on reservations. Reality check for most Americans, natives live in homes, just like us, shop at stores and markets, just like us, and drive cars, just like us. I feel like Natives need a section in US Weekly similar to celebrities titled "Native Americans, they're just like us!" But then, that would be considered a derogatory title, even though, many people need to see it.

I found Wilma's speech to be very inspirational which is tying in nicely to the end of semester wrap up and its a shame that she has passed because while her speech was tough to listen to, I'm sure in person she would have been a fabulous story teller as well as some one with endless amounts of knowledge.