Everyday Is A Good Day Chapter 5

This chapter is about “Womanhood” and what being a woman to indigenous women means. Wilma Mankiller believes that most of the women “speak of their womanhood within the context of the family, community, and nation” (95). For these women it is important for them to define what is to be a woman themselves and do not ask not want any other person to define the moment for when they became a woman. Some of the people may never understand what its and also the “complexity of relationships” because the women are still fighting for gender equality against men whose “values [have been] systematically destroyed by a society” (97). Wilma Mankiller in this chapter speaks greatly of the women her life which introduced her into being a woman but the stories they told or by their actions. Some of my favorite quotes are listed below:
• “Western Shoshone women are taught that a woman is like the Earth: she gives and nurtures life” (103). – Mary & Carrie Dann
• “Indigenous women are going to have to fight for the rights of the Earth” (103) - Mary & Carrie Dann

These quotes from the two sisters says that just like mother Earth indigenous women who are connected to the earth and the land must feel like the personification of mother earth because they not very respected and are seen to give life to others without little or not appreciation, respect, or dedication from those that she takes care of.

• “The role of the woman is very complex and important. Many women have begun to lose a sense of self-esteem, of their importance to the human race and to this Earth” (104)- Audrey Shenandoah
• “Our identity as Indian women is very grounded in the land. We can’t separate ourselves from that” (106) –Gail Small
• “Gender equity is an integral component of traditional Yaqui culture” (107)- Octaviana Valenzuela Trujillio
• “My personal identity as a woman and a human is very tied to my people” (108)- Octaviana Valenzuela Trujillio
• “We are teachers, healers, storytellers, peacemakers, problem solvers, and visionaries” (117)- Rosalie Little Thunder