The Wilma Mankiller video

M5 Academic Journal Blog

The Wilma Mankiller video

Hello again my fellow bloggers! Today I will take you to the Wilma Mankiller video in Sonoma State University.

Let me start from the beginning for those people who are not familiar with this great and dedicated woman; Wilma Mankiller was born in 1945 at the end of the Second World War, near of the Ozark Mountains in Oklahoma; she came as product from the union of her mother, a Dutch-Irish woman, and her full-blooded Cherokee father. While growing up Wilma experienced various misfortune of the Cherokee Tribe like the relocation to San Francisco when she was 10 years old by the North American government. Also, she was involved in 1969 with other Indigenous activists, in the reclaim of the land that belonged to them and occupied the Alcatraz Island as a form of protest.

She was elected in 1983 as head of state of a sovereign nation and served three terms in office which were unprecedented and very productive terms. She adduce that election to her positive attitude in all circumstances.

The Wilma’s surname, "Mankiller," refers to a traditional Cherokee warrior rank; she was a role model for all Native Americans, especially women.

In this video she heighten the importance of women among Native Americans, their role as decisions-makers as members of a tribe and their relevance in their day to day lives. Also she talked about the concern of the disappearances and fading of the Indigenous traditions, ceremonies, languages; in other words, the complete Indigenous knowledge.

She spoke about other issues like the reciprocity in responsibility among the tribes members as an attribute of tribal culture, the caring and responsibility for the other one and vice versa. She mentioned the importance of her positive attitude for all situations as the reason for her being elected three times in a row as head of state of a sovereign nation.

Wilma Mankiller: First Woman Chief of an American Indian Nation

One thing for sure you will notice in this video; the amazing sense of humor, the experience and the knowledge Wilma Mankiller demonstrate, like the anecdote of the origin of her surname “Mankiller”.

Sadly she passed away in April 6, 2010 but her work and legacy will remain in the mind of the people, and with videos like this one, her message will get to the entire society; so I strongly encouraging you to watch this video, I completely assure you that you will enjoy it as I did!