Women in Leadership Positions in PowWows and Politics

tsuj510 · 10-09-2006, 02:57 PM

Okay, my last post did not go over so well, so I'll try this one.. I hope I did not offend anyone but I want to make sure I get my infomration correct-from the horse's mouth as they say..

I am taking a Women of Color class and have been asked to teach the American Indian portion of the class becuse the Universtiy did not hire one and the Asian professor who was gonna cover us decided not to and to asked me for assistance instead.

My topic is American Indian Women of power and I am addressing both political and social roles.

Do you ladies (or gents) have any feedback on these topics? I am interested in how things have changed since the 70's in both regards and where our Women leaders think we are headed in general? Are things better, or worse? The same? Why? What are some challenges that our Women are facing today? Any feedback would be truly appreciated, from any Native folks. I will give the respondants credit for your replies, if this is desired.

Thank you!

**injunboy** · 10-09-2006, 07:45 PM

on the navajo rez, which is in a whole differnt world than your university, there is an election going on for president,, for the first time a woman won in the general election so later on we are going to find out if we are going to take our tribe into *ummm* no mans land.

what a delemma, because for the longest time its been said a woman leader would run our nation into the ground. we never elected a woman leader for that reason.

last year we had a navajo nation headstart. a very smart lady was in charge of it. i actually like this lady but i disagreed with how she ran things. in the end the headstart got closed down. what a short memory we must have.

the current navajo nation council is by far the worst council ever elected. by whatever luck this happens to be a time we elected the most woman council delegates.

i guess we can just cut to the chase and you can evaluate these indivuals yourself. see for yourself the self serving and corruption and alot of times lack of performance they had.

ndngirl70 · 10-10-2006, 09:15 AM

My tribe has a woman chief. I think for the most part she does a good job. As for other women in power and/or politics, look at Wilma Mankiller or Winona LaDuke. There are some extraordinary female leaders in indian country.

Blackbear · 10-10-2006, 02:26 PM

My people have always had chiefs and clanmothers. You have to have both to run a nation I think. The women are for the most part in charge, but our chiefs have to be smart and with the nation in mind to be the face of the people and carry out the wishes of the clan mothers. But it stops with the chiefs and begins with the people. The people of each clan bring their ideas and concerns to the clan mothers. The clan mothers discuss the issues and bring the results to the chiefs to enact out those results. If the chiefs disagree, it goes back to the clan mothers who discuss it further but if they still agree with their original decision, then the chiefs must go with it.

This is the original ideal of democracy. The one the US tried to pattern itself after but leaving out the wisdom of women.

**injunboy** · 10-10-2006, 05:20 PM

its no secret ladies have power and knowledge. but to run a tribe is differnt. thats a differnt story. theres, whats the word for it..? theres whatever,, its gonna prove itself when a navajo woman leader is elected. shes dooming her own people. i am not sure what part of that is soo appealing to voters. maybe thats what they want. i dunno.

wyo_rose · 10-13-2006, 11:47 AM

My bfen's tribe is ran by a woman too, and he's wondering how she got voted in.

DUH, the women are getting out to VOTE!!!

Babe · 10-13-2006, 12:31 PM

I believe these days women have as much power as a man does. Women are now getting the education and taking over coorporate leadership in the white man's world. Same as for our native american women. In this area, women are the ones in charge of the departments in the administration. Just so happens we do have a chairman but there is one woman on council and it seems as if more people trust her more than the chairman. People just have to get over the 'old-fashioned way' of thinking a man is the only person that could fullfill a leadership position. Same as in the household.

I commend those Indian women that have leadership roles in their tribes.

The navajo nation's leadership is under a woman but I believe gender has nothing to do with it going under.

**WocusWoman** · 10-13-2006, 12:47 PM

In Alaska; we have many native women in roles of power. Currently Diane Benson is running to be US Senator against the one and only Don Young. You know the guy that builds bridges to no where? We are not talking about women who just woke up yesterday and decided to run for leadership positions, these are highly educated women who have spent many years working their ways up through the system through proper channels. Many of them did this while raising children and such; and while many of our native men are busy with their addictions and learning how to be men. I wouldn't neccessarily go out of my way to vote or put into place a woman; but instead I always vote for the best candidate or representative...

wyo_rose · 10-13-2006, 01:14 PM

My grandma ran her own businesses and was on the Tribal Business Council for many years, from the late 30's through the late 60's.

There was also a woman on the Arapaho business council for years, so this is nothing new.

crazywolf · 10-13-2006, 10:14 PM

Boozhoo niji,

In White Earth, we currently have a woman in the chair of the council, Erma Visinor (I hope I spelled that right). She is doing good things, running one of the countries largest res.

Also from White Earth, is Winona LaDuke. She is doing a lot just getting our land back, and also protecting our Manoomin, the wild rice beds that sustained our people for many generations.

Derek

Jinekehane · 10-13-2006, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by injunboy

what a delemma, because for the longest time its been said a woman leader would run our nation into the ground. we never elected a woman leader for that reason.

hhrrrmm...I dont know about that. I wouldnt say that we never elected a women for that reason. It's kind of weird, the navajo people are a matralineal society, but when the Bilagaanaas showed up we became a people who saw the men as being the leaders, which is totally backwards.

Jinekehane · 10-13-2006, 11:47 PM

are you old enough to vote injunboy? I had the oppertunity to speak to Lovejoy, the women running for Navajo Nation President, and yeah I would take her over Shirley any day but I was bothered by her responses to my questions. I attended a chapter meeting and I was also botherd by the "good politics" everyone was playing, I mean everyone was advocating for this women and no one eery really challenged her or asked any questions that might make her look bad. We have a tendancy to vote first and then ask questions. you know what I mean?

10-09-2006, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
tsuj510 Teen Dancer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 409	Women in Leadership Positions in PowWows and Politics Okay, my last post did not go over so well, so I'll try this one.. I hope I did not offend anyone but I want to make sure I get my infomration correct-from the horse's mouth as they say.. I am taking a Women of Color class and have been asked to teach the American Indian portion of the class becuse the Universtiy did not hire one and the Asian professor who was gonna cover us decided not to and to asked me for assistance instead. My topic is American Indian Women of power and I am addressing both political and social roles. Do you ladies (or gents) have any feedback on these topics? I am interested in how things have changed since the 70's in both regards and where our Women leaders think we are headed in general? Are things better, or worse? The same? Why? What are some challenges that our Women are facing today? Any feedback would be truly appreciated, from any Native folks. I will give the respondants credit for your replies, if this is desired. Thank you!

10-09-2006, 07:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
injunboy Ganado 3A North Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: nizhoni arizoni Posts: 1,603	on the navajo rez, which is in a whole differnt world than your university, there is an election going on for president,, for the first time a woman won in the general election so later on we are going to find out if we are going to take our tribe into ummm no mans land. what a delemma, because for the longest time its been said a woman leader would run our nation into the ground. we never elected a woman leader for that reason. last year we had a navajo nation headstart. a very smart lady was in charge of it. i actually like this lady but i disagreed with how she ran things. in the end the headstart got closed down. what a short memory we must have. the current navajo nation council is by far the worst council ever elected. by whatever luck this happens to be a time we elected the most woman council delegates. i guess we can just cut to the chase and you can evaluate these indivuals yourself. see for yourself the self serving and corruption and alot of times lack of performance they had. __________________ thanks dad for showing me the way, teaching me the language, and not leaving my mother...L *original XXL * jus like McSteamie

10-10-2006, 09:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
ndngirl70 powwow bum Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In your dreams Posts: 1,257	My tribe has a woman chief. I think for the most part she does a good job. As for other women in power and/or politics, look at Wilma Mankiller or Winona LaDuke. There are some extraordinary female leaders in indian country. __________________ Once upon a time Everything was fine You were beside me- you were mine Why did you have to walk out my door? Now you want me back again I am sorry You're just an old song I don't sing anymore http://www.mytribalspace.com/tribal/...ame_ndngirl70/ http://www.myspace.com/ndngirl70

10-10-2006, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blackbear Gone Fishing Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,522	My people have always had chiefs and clanmothers. You have to have both to run a nation I think. The women are for the most part in charge, but our chiefs have to be smart and with the nation in mind to be the face of the people and carry out the wishes of the clan mothers. But it stops with the chiefs and begins with the people. The people of each clan bring their ideas and concerns to the clan mothers. The clan mothers discuss the issues and bring the results to the chiefs to enact out those results. If the chiefs disagree, it goes back to the clan mothers who discuss it further but if they still agree with their original decision, then the chiefs must go with it. This is the original ideal of democracy. The one the US tried to pattern itself after but leaving out the wisdom of women. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v4...Video002-1.flv

10-10-2006, 05:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
injunboy Ganado 3A North Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: nizhoni arizoni Posts: 1,603	its no secret ladies have power and knowledge. but to run a tribe is differnt. thats a differnt story. theres, whats the word for it..? theres whatever,, its gonna prove itself when a navajo woman leader is elected. shes dooming her own people. i am not sure what part of that is soo appealing to voters. maybe thats what they want. i dunno. __________________ thanks dad for showing me the way, teaching me the language, and not leaving my mother...L *original XXL * jus like McSteamie

10-13-2006, 11:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,861 Blog Entries: 2	My bfen's tribe is ran by a woman too, and he's wondering how she got voted in. DUH, the women are getting out to VOTE!!!

10-13-2006, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Babe Junior Dancer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In the bayou where the mosquitoes are Posts: 150	I believe these days women have as much power as a man does. Women are now getting the education and taking over coorporate leadership in the white man's world. Same as for our native american women. In this area, women are the ones in charge of the departments in the administration. Just so happens we do have a chairman but there is one woman on council and it seems as if more people trust her more than the chairman. People just have to get over the 'old-fashioned way' of thinking a man is the only person that could fullfill a leadership position. Same as in the household. I commend those Indian women that have leadership roles in their tribes. The navajo nation's leadership is under a woman but I believe gender has nothing to do with it going under.

10-13-2006, 12:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
WocusWoman N8tiffUmatillaMAMA Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Interior Alaska Posts: 2,693	In Alaska; we have many native women in roles of power. Currently Diane Benson is running to be US Senator against the one and only Don Young. You know the guy that builds bridges to no where? We are not talking about women who just woke up yesterday and decided to run for leadership positions, these are highly educated women who have spent many years working their ways up through the system through proper channels. Many of them did this while raising children and such; and while many of our native men are busy with their addictions and learning how to be men. I wouldn't neccessarily go out of my way to vote or put into place a woman; but instead I always vote for the best candidate or representative...

10-13-2006, 01:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
wyo_rose Teenah's Too Cool Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Washakie Posts: 7,861 Blog Entries: 2	My grandma ran her own businesses and was on the Tribal Business Council for many years, from the late 30's through the late 60's. There was also a woman on the Arapaho business council for years, so this is nothing new.

10-13-2006, 10:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
crazywolf crazywolf Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: unsettled for now, MN Posts: 856 Blog Entries: 5	Boozhoo niji, In White Earth, we currently have a woman in the chair of the council, Erma Visinor (I hope I spelled that right). She is doing good things, running one of the countries largest res. Also from White Earth, is Winona LaDuke. She is doing a lot just getting our land back, and also protecting our Manoomin, the wild rice beds that sustained our people for many generations. Derek

10-13-2006, 11:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jinekehane aadoo niyoh ch'idi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 69	are you old enough to vote injunboy? I had the oppertunity to speak to Lovejoy, the women running for Navajo Nation President, and yeah I would take her over Shirley any day but I was bothered by her responses to my questions. I attended a chapter meeting and I was also botherd by the "good politics" everyone was playing, I mean everyone was advocating for this women and no one eery really challenged her or asked any questions that might make her look bad. We have a tendancy to vote first and then ask questions. you know what I mean? __________________ ??Aayooish K'ei chah??

10-14-2006, 02:59 AM	#13 (permalink)