by Layne
Which two factors pose the greatest challenge to a broader public understanding of Native American women’s history?
The two factors that pose the greatest challenge to understanding Native American women’s history is that the first factor would be is that Native American women are extremely educated, articulate and can do anything that their so-called white counterparts can do and probably do it to a much better degree. The second factor would be to be able to overcome the radical, racial and gender stereotypes that Indigenous women have been plagued with for centuries.
Devon Abbot Mihesuah’s main argument for the first factor is that some Native American women are just as educated as their white peers. She writes that many Indigenous women have taken the right steps to get the education that will put into the seats of higher learning and establish themselves as the experts in their chosen field. She herself has done this and probably set the example for other Native American Women to do the same. Another branch of this argument is that most Indigenous women are not looked upon as leaders, either in their fields of expertise or in the tribes themselves. In chapter 11, Mihesuah states that women had very important roles early on like Alice Jemison, who was Seneca and Laura Kellogg, who was an Iroquois that fought for tribal rights. The women could be compared to Susan B. Anthony and Carrie Nation (though probably not as extreme Nation) as pioneers for tribal rights. Women in the 20th Century have carried on this tradition, like Wilma Mankiller, who was tribal chief of Oklahoma Cherokee nation. This is probably the equivalent of be elected a Governor of a state, or other high office of leadership. Native American women like these proves her argument that you can be placed in a position of leadership if you take the time and put forth the sincere effort that if any goal if worth reaching for it can be achieved with hard work and perseverance.
Since the “invaders” came to this land in 1492, Indigenous women have always been seen possessions and not for the qualities that they possess. They are breaking this mold and are now seen as women who are strong and educated and are closely tied to their heritage and their tribe. These women are the ones who have tried to preserve the ways and culture as best as they can and try to pass them down to the next generations of Native Americans. On page 152, Mihesuah writes of two women, Marlene Printup and Mary Annette Clause. These two Native women feel it is their duty to pass down the skills of beadwork to their children. Clause said, “I feel it is very important to pass our culture along.” This education and passing of culture is important in changing the stereotypes that have plagued this people for so long. They are not what are termed by such a harsh, derogatory name called the “squaws”, they are a strong, noble race that has a strong, rich heritage. The media still portrays Native American women as being white women wearing dark makeup and wearing a black wig, or like the Disney version of Pocahontas. Mihesuah delved into this concept of the in accuracies that plague Indigenous women in the movies and television. The white race has done little to stop this perpetuation of this perception. But through activism, there have been Native American women that have formed production companies and are fighting the stereotypes that have plagued Native Americans for centuries. More movies and television shows will be made to show Indigenous women in the proper and true light of how these women are changing things for their people and their tribes.
Only through a strong positive voice, activism and leadership will the plight of the Native American woman be looked at and re-evaluated. All genders and races need to see the struggle that these women go through on a daily basis and can hopefully understand what they are truly going through.
I agree with both of your arguments and to just go along with what another person posted for my paper was that despite the fact that we are apart of a different race or different culture, we are all equal. I would say the only thing that seperates us is the experiences we go through. Everyone has been through different types of adversity and going through that may alter many of our views on things. The most important key to success is to become well educated in order for us to all understand and comprehend each other.
TN
Replying to Tre
Yes ,it is true that our experiences separate, we are all equal in so many ways. This equality, though at times not very definite is that through our attitudes, is how I think we are different. We are equal, but if a person thinks that they are better than someone else, they feel that they are above this equality. People need to look in the mirrors to and not judge one by their education level, the color of their skin or by their gender.
I have given much thought to how I would add to or revise my argument, and I think that I would add that oral histories would be an important aspect to add to the other two arguments that I have. Growing up, we all hear our parents tell stories of how they grew up, what they experienced and how the world affected them. We, as children , mostly either laughed at these stories, or listened with great intent. Oral histories are rich in familial background but a historical background as well.
One of the great stories told in my family is one where Butch Cassidy tried to enlist my maternal great grandfather into his “Hole in the Wall” gang, but did not because my great-grandfather had a family to take care of. Another is about my paternal grandfather and how he came from Oklahoma to Idaho in the early 1900’s. This tale was not exciting, but still had tales of daring and the incidents that happened along the way.
Oral histories are very important to any culture. Most cultures pass down their rich pasts down to their descendents through oral histories. This is one of the ways that Natives passed down their culture in this fashion.
So in changing my argument, or adding to it, oral histories are very important in linking a cultures rich past and hopefully ensuring that the future generations will embrace it and make it part of their lives.
Layne, I think you’re correct in both your original post and in your final comment here. Oral histories are indeed challenging because their truth value differs dramatically between European and Native American cultures. Whereas most European Americans would acknowledge (and perhaps even celebrate) a good deal of truth-bending and exaggeration in their families’ informal oral traditions, in many Native cultures the oral tradition is very carefully preserved and is considered sacrosanct. In an age where we often value scientific evidence over the humanities and arts, it can be difficult for non-Native historians to understand Natives’ insistence on the high truth value of oral traditions–and especially difficult when those traditions contradict the geological and archeological evidence that historians have been trained to trust and privilege.