M5 Academic Journal Blog - Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People


       Today I have watched the video "Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People" as my reviewed source. It was created by ASU (Arizona State University) Libraries and published on December 10, 2013. I believe they are trying to convey an idea that "the indigenous people have the benefit of being regularly reminded of their responsibilities to the land by the stories and by the ceremonies. They remain close to the land, not only in the way they live, but in their hearts and in the way they view the world. Protecting the environment is not an intellectual exercise; it is a sacred duty" (Mankiller). Mankiller's point of view has established the uniqueness of the Native American as distinct from other people. She also told us how to share a sense of duty to conserve and protect the natural world.
       This YouTube video was selected as an academic resource for this course. I think the reason why it was chosen is that it will cause us to see and hear the dual intuitiveness. Its power is also more potent than simple words. Furthermore, it was not uploaded by any individual but ASU Libraries who invited Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. These all made this resource academically persuasive.
       The purpose of making a Native American focused journal into a blog is to facilitate the wide dissemination of academic articles. This is a topic that gradually attracts attention in American society, not only in the academic circle but also among all kinds of people in communities. To post this kind of topics in a public blog, or a forum can raise a lot of discussions. It is a promotion for communication between different types of people. People can learn about indigenous people, create relationships with them. By helping them realize their ideas, we are helping ourselves.


Reference:
1. Libraries, ASU. “Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 Dec. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_rVUmV7Y8.


Comments

  1. EnriqueAugust 15, 2019 at 6:58 PM

    Hi Chaohan,

    In my opinion, the statement “The indigenous people have the benefit of being regularly reminded of their responsibilities to the land by the stories and by the ceremonies. They remain close to the land, not only in the way they live, but in their hearts and in the way they view the world. Protecting the environment is not an intellectual exercise; it is a sacred duty” (Mankiller) reminded me about the Navajo which is the tribe I did my assignment on. It remind me of the cultural tradition they perform with the burial of the placenta to Mother Earth. According to PBS, this ensures that the child will be nurtured by a spiritual mother for the rest of his or her life. Such ceremonial offerings to the land continue as a child grows older, strengthening community ties as well as ties to family and land.

    Work Cited

    Libraries, ASU. “Wilma Mankiller: Challenges Facing 21st Century Indigenous People.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 Dec. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_rVUmV7Y8&feature=youtu.be.

    PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/independentlens/missnavajo/religion.html.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 15, 2019 at 9:15 PM

    Hey Chaohan,

    I agree with what you stated:
    “Mankiller's point of view has established the uniqueness of the Native American as distinct from other people. She also told us how to share a sense of duty to conserve and protect the natural world.”

    I’d also add that she was trying to share some perspective on indigenous cultures, generally, as she had mentioned that she had found many things in common with various indigenous cultures.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MkingAugust 17, 2019 at 4:49 AM

    I agree with you that hearing Wilma Mankiller's words were more powerful then just reading them from paper. During an African culture class I was researching education for girls in Africa and what girls go through really hit home after watching a TED talk by a woman who is know a Professor in the states but had been subjected to many difficulties while trying to continue her education. Just reading the words on paper didn't give the story life. Seeing the woman speak with feeling, made it real and gave me the ability to feel empathy which I believe is important when learning about what others go through.

    ReplyDelete

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