Every Day Is a Good Day: Reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women

by Wilma Mankiller

"This is a very important book. It could be the most important of this new century if it were to get the mindfulness it deserves."—Gloria Steinem, from the introduction

In this rare and intimate glimpse at the resilience and perseverance of Native women, twenty indigenous female leaders—educators, healers, attorneys, artists, elders, and activists—come together to discuss issues facing modern Native communities. This illuminating book found its genesis with Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010), first female chief of the Cherokee Nation. Over a period of several years, Mankiller engaged indigenous women in conversation about spirituality, traditions and culture, tribal governance, female role models, love, and community. Their common life experiences, patterns of thought, and shared values gave them the freedom to be frank and open, and a place of community from which to explore powerful influences on Native life.

Wilma Mankiller spent most of her life in the rural community of Mankiller Flats in Adair County, Oklahoma. Her lifetime of activism began in 1969, when she took part in the Native American occupation of Alcatraz Island. She became the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985, a position she held for ten years. Mankiller has been honored with many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and honorary doctorate degrees from Yale University, Dartmouth College, and Smith College. She passed away April 6, 2010, at her home on the Mankiller family allotment.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Native American, Indigenous, Memoir, Essays, Womens Studies

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2004

About the author

Wilma Pearl Mankiller was a community organizer and the first woman elected to serve as chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller served as principal chief for ten years, from 1985 to 1995.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across Wilma Mankiller & this book when I read Gloria Steinem’s My Life On the Road. I’m always grateful to stumble unto these little gems I might never have come across otherwise. This books is a compilation of conversations with native women from various tribes discussing their views on topics from faith to the environment, feminism to their ongoing struggles to preserve their language and culture, and STILL fighting to keep their native lands.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda Aranaydo, Muscogee Creek (physician)
Mary and Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone (traditionalists)
Angela Gonzales, Hopi (professor)
Joy Harjo, Muscogee Creek/Cherokee (poet/musician)
LaDonna Harris, Comanche (warrior)
Sarah James, Nee’Tsaii Gwich’in (human rights activist)
Debra LaFountaine, Ojibway (environmentalist)
Rosalie Little Thunder, Lakota (Lakota linguist/artist)
Lurline Wailana McGregor, Native Hawaiian (television producer)
Beatrice Medicine, Lakota (anthropologist)
Ella Mulford, Navajo (biologist)
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Salish Flathead (artist)
Audrey Shenandoah, Onondaga (Clan Mother)
Joanne Shenandoah, Oneida (musician)
Gail Small (Head Chief Woman), Northern Cheyenne (environmental activist)
Faith Smith, Ojibway (educator)
Florence Soap, Cherokee (grandmother)
Octaviana Valenzuela Trujillo, Pascua Yaqui (educator)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equal parts enlightenment, sorrow, hope, and frustration. A wonderful discussion between various leaders of a few of the tribes native to North America (and Hawaii) who happen to be women.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of dialogues by Indigenous women was an eye-opening read for me. I appreciate Wilma Mankiller for compiling them into a book.

[Tom Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful read of powerful women talking about their attachment to their Community, Land and the World. Read over many weeks to savor each tale.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indigenous voices are something that often gets overlooked in the US and I wanted to hear some of their perspectives. Wilma Mankiller was an amazing advocate and impressive human in the range of activities including being the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, but this book isn’t just about her. It is a compilation of impressive women’s perspectives with each chapter on a new topic. The book easily could have been depressing or a vent of frustration, but instead it’s well-balanced with hope, appreciation, and an attempt to portray their sorrow.

I found the book is immensely powerful and continues to make me reflect when I hear things in the news. I’d highly recommend it for someone who is feeling disenfranchised over recent current events and looking for some calm and renewed energy.

Who should read it? I wish it were required reading for students in the USA.

See all my reviews and more at Reading to Distraction or @Read2Distract

[ONTD Feminism · Rating 4 out of 5]

LJ user pachakuti:

The late Wilma Mankiller (rest her soul) gathered thoughts and reflections from 19 Native women, on things like the meaning of spirituality, the importance of sovereignty, and what it means to be an indigenous woman today. This read is important because feminism and women-centered writing in the public eye tends to be so overwhelmingly white-washed. Also, Ms. Mankiller chose her writers very well indeed and this is a book I reflected on and re-read parts of for days after I first finished it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably give this about a 3.5 if Goodreads would allow half stars. I very much appreciated the perspective of these indigenous women, but sometimes I felt the thoughts they shared were redundant from chapter to chapter. It seemed like I flew through reading the first half but started to get tired of reading it about mid-way. It is still a good book to read to see these different viewpoints.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading even if it is over a decade old. Mankiller calls this collection of thoughts from native women a "gathering" and it is a unique assemblage of oral history, personal sharing, and insightful commentary. Recommended.

[Jennifer Abdo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a compilation, it has so many different points of view, so it's hard to speak generally.

What appealed to me beyond the opportunity to read so many native women at once on a variety of topics from government to love, was the view of religion incorporating all living things - that promotes inclusivity, equality and respect for the environment as integral parts of life. I was struck by the fact that most native cultures were quite equal before the imposition of male dominated European religion and government.

Two of the women expressed views that they needed to support men who have become vulnerable and that women shouldn't play sports because the muscles will be bad for childbirth. Maybe I didn't read that correctly. ..

Towards the beginning I was discouraged to read about the integration of Christianity in native life, though theirs appears to be a more forgiving version and makes room for their native ceremony and beliefs for the most part.

There is a lot to learn about the history - they only touch on it but it's so valuable to know about their struggle and survival and what it means today.

There is a current throughout of a well deserved critique of capitalist greed. This was satisfying to know that others share this view.

Some women seem to want to prove Christianity is compatible with native culture. The church did preserve some native languages in a way. But there are native stories, one of a creator asking for 30 deer and the man only conning up with 28 and the creator says that's fine. Compare that with Cain and Abel from the Bible with God accepting one brother's type of sacrifice over the other and murder results. Not exactly harmonious or forgiving...

There are so many contributors and sidebar perspectives. I can't begin to say all I got from this book. It was enlightening historically and heartbreaking to see how devastating colonisation has been.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging and passionate are the voices in this gathering of proud indigenous women. Coming together as one, 19 strong and successful women provide a rare glimpse into their lives with the hope that their voices will be heard and their message understood: bear witness to the unforgivable acts that their people have survived and take a step forward in mending old wrongs and forgiving past and present hurts.
Brings to light the insight of women artists, lawyers, ranchers, doctors, and educators
Discussions range from the land to government, love to family life.
Conversational style of writing presents a genuine Native American perspective.

[Lukie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savored this book, reading it for comfort, guidance, and wisdom on matters of how to live bravely, generously, and honorably, to care for each other and the earth, and see things differently than western white culture would have us do. There is very sad content, too. The stories of what past generations of American Indigenous people have gone through are horrendous, and there are many problems still. But I take heart that many of the voices in this book believe that their ways will prevail and the rest of us can learn from them.

[Daisey Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this book really opened my perspective about indigenous culture as well as how some indigenous women see the world. I also think the book included lessons everyone can learn, such as how we have become so separated from nature. This is definitely going to be a book I will keep on my coffee table to look at when I need advice, key lessons, or just want to read some beautiful stories and messages.

[MarleneJ Sandvig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Lessons of Living

This book came to me by a friend what l gained l pray to continue learn because of these beautiful women who woke me up to taking care of our earth to enjoy each day and do my best so l can become what the creator meant for me to be. Thank you all for adding to this journey of a good life.

[Kathy Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows what real human values should be- care of community and the earth, while giving insight into lives these Native women have lived in country whose culture has tried to decimate their indigenous values. But they are resilient.

[Elizabeth]

Read for Indigenous Author square of Book Bingo. I wish I'd read this one in hard copy (vs Kindle) because the contributor bios are all in the back and I wish I'd read them first and referred to them as reading each chapter. I enjoyed the diversity of indigenous women's voices included.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading in schools.

Nineteen women of different Native Tribes discuss a variety of topics about their culture, traditions, values. Enlightening, historical, spiritual! Wonderful.

[M.K. Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcoming introduction to native philosophy, belief, and wisdom.

[martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much wisdom.

[Monica Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through inter library loan twice. It's the kind of book that is hard to pick up, because it doesn't tell one story with a through line. There are a dozen or more indigenous women from a large variety of tribes, including a native Hawaiian. Wilma Mankiller tells some of her story at the beginning of each chapter and then the other voices come in. Some of their stories and admonishments overlap. Many of these are not for a white western woman. But I thought it as important to read the whole book. My favorite chapters were Context is Everything and Love and Acceptance. I hope to read her "A Readers Companion to US Women's History."

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Day is a Good Day is an extraordinary book by extraordinary women. Compiled and edited by Wilma Mankiller, this book is in an interesting format - Wilma asks a question, then gives you the answers provided by each participant. I found it very easy to follow, and very interesting.

I had read this book in the past and was pleased to find it again. It is one I will need to read yet again to get through this life.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly such an inspiring read 👏

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts were moving. Some parts were inspirational. Certainly opened my eyes and my heart to history and indigenous cultures. However, sprinkled throughout were some negative lines that were telling me what I as a white woman thought and felt.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read the thoughts of indigenous that are shared among the various tribes. It truly was an educational book, and it made me sad that, as invaders, we have so ignored their values. We could learn so much if only we (and our politicians) would listen.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came into my life right when I needed it. These women's words helped to re-center myself. They helped to remind me what is important in my life and what I want to be focused on. Their strength gives me courage and for that I am very grateful.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great message and powerful stories, but rather repetitive.

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great compilation of wisdom by 19 indigenous leading women.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was not what I expected but worth the effort

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Wilma Mankiller was one of twenty women from various tribes and backgrounds that reflected on specific topics such as ceremonies. I highly recommend this book.

[Danielle Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and incredibly important book! Loved it!