(Wilma Mankiller)
Wilma Mankiller’s speech to the Sonoma State University was entirely enlightening and fascinating. Mankiller discusses a variety of issues concerning the Native Americans. For instance,Mankiller states that the Native Americans face the erosion of their cultural values. In addition, she describes how it is difficult for the Indians since many Americans do not know their history, whereas the Native Americans were forced to adapt to the American lifestyle. What captivated me the most during Mankiller’s speech is when she talked about the values of the Cherokee tribe. For example, she discusses how the Cherokee believes in being responsible and respectable of others.
Mankiller states that in the
Cherokee country, cultural identity is apparent in many ways. For instance, the
tribe members help build other people’s homes since they believe in being
responsible for one another.[i]
Mankiller continues on to say that a tribe elder was once questioned what it
meant to be a good Cherokee. He replied that a good Cherokee was one that had
respect towards others, respect to himself, keeps his word, and helps others.[ii]
Mankiller informs the listeners that
during the late 1800’s, the Cherokee would have a grand ceremony every year. The
motivation of this ceremony was to rekindle relationships and request forgiveness
for improper behavior that occurred during the previous year. In addition to
asking forgiveness, the purpose of these rituals was to clean the mind from bad
thoughts. The reason for this is because it was believed that once someone has
negative thoughts it would then lead to harmful and violent actions. Fascinatingly,
everyone who joined these ceremonies would be absolved from their sins; once
they were forgiven, they were no longer allowed to discuss their transgressions
since they were permanently erased. Thus,
everyone would leave the ceremonies without hatred towards one another. Another
great idea that was established during these ceremonies was that each family
would distinguish their fire outside the homes and would then relight from the
fire by the ceremonies. This would symbolize unity.[iii]
Cherokees in today’s day and age
strive to preserve these cultural values. For instance, in regards to having a
clear mind from bad thoughts, a Cherokee elder would always start his meetings
by stating that it is important to remove bad thoughts from your mind.[iv] In
fact, Mankiller, who was a Cherokee chief, believed that she was elected several
times as leader since she was constantly positive.[v]
I am very pleased to have watched
the YouTube clip of Wilma Mankiller’s speech. I have learned so much new
information about Native Americans in the past as well as in the present. I particularly
enjoyed reading about the values of the Cherokee (especially because throughout
the course, I have written several papers on the Cherokee and this clip has given me the opportunity to understand their ideals even more).
