WILMA MANKILLER: SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

 

Prior to watching Wilma Mankiller’s speech given at Sonoma State University, I was unaware of who she was and what an important figure she was to Native Americans. She was a very impressive and strong woman. Mankiller helped lead and aid Native Americans for many years. In the speech Professor Edward Castillo introduces her acknowledging how creditable she was, thus having 18 honorary doctorate degrees and being the chief of the Cherokees for ten years. He also states that Wilma and himself met while working together at the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz.  During Mankiller’s leadership she focused on improving the nation’s government, healthcare, and education systems. She had also written two books including an autobiography entitled, Mankiller: A Chief and Her People.

Wilma Mankiller began her speech by titling it “Context is everything”.  I believe that the main point of her speech was that even though it has been hundreds of years since the initial encounter between Native Americans and Euro Americans, too few Americans know the truth about the Native American culture, history, and contemporary lives and issues. She believed that is impossible for individual’s to understand how Native People’s culture and history influences the way they interact, and deal with or approach issues they are faced with. 

In the video she discusses how Natives are expected to learn all about the white American history, but few Americans are taught anything about the original Native American history or culture. Therefore without telling Americans the truth or informing them of information, stereotypes of Native Americans were formed. Wilma then goes on to discuss the different stereotypes given to Native Americans such as the “play” governments, and the myth of the wealthy casino owner.  It is very important to the Natives, and was to Mankiller to ensure that their traditions and culture are not forgotten. Revenue being brought in to the tribes such as money from the casinos, is being put towards developing programs to ensure the education and prevalence of their culture, language, and traditions.

Mankiller, Wilma. “Sonoma State University presents Wilma Mankiller.” Youtube, 2008. Youtube.com. Web. 24 Aug 2014.