Every Day is a Good Day Chapter 1

In chapter one the author talks about some of the women that have influenced her in her life. Though all had amazing stories, the ones that stuck out the most was the story of Justine Buckskin and the story of Mary and Carrie Dann. When reading Justine Buckskin's story, I felt that she had to be one of the stongest women every. Her ability to see potential in others and to help others even when she was down was something that a lot of people are not able to do. It seems to be a true gift that she had. The Dann sisters fight for their land and their birthright as they called it was a great story because it helps the reader see that the American governement is still doing damage to the Native tribes. Our governement is stil trying to destroy what's left of the indigenous people while at the same time trying to put on a mask that looks to others like we are the melting pot country. It is very easy for one to foget about the Native tribes and all that they are dealing with; it is even easier to forget about what Native women are dealing with in losses and negative changes that were and still are being forced upon them.
Something else that was interesting to read about was how the author talks about the "experts on Native Americans". "White anthropologists and "experts" on Native Americans have written volumes anout the culture of traditional indigenous people with little understanding of the degree to which tribal knowledge continues to inform contemporary life" (Mankiller, pg. 6). She goes on to say " Too many books about specific tribal groups have been written by people who spent fifteen minuets on a reservation and became experts" (Mankiller, pg. 6). In my own personal opinion, I do not believe that an outsider to a specific culture can be called an expert per say. They can read all the books and do the research and study abroad and what not, but that does not compare to actually being a part of a specific culture. To live as a Native person and have certain traditions and values instilled in you is very different compared to just experiencing it as a historian.