Jul 17, 2006 - 02:09:53 CDT
CHANDLER, Ariz. - Sue Masten and Veronica Homer united with a group of women to fulfill a vision - to celebrate the lives of grandmothers, aunties, sisters, wives and warrior women leaders of today.Masten and Homer, co-presidents of WEWIN - Women Empowering Women of Indian Nations - recently led a three-day conference to honor women working for their communities. The event, which ended Wednesday, attracted 160 national and grassroots leaders to the Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa on the Gila River Reservation.
Masten and Homer - past presidents of the National Congress of American Indians, the country's largest and oldest advocacy group for tribes - know what it's like to put your heart into a leadership role.
It's not always an easy place to be.
"We all face the negative energy that comes to sidetrack our work at hand," said Masten.
For those reasons, she and nine others founded WEWIN in 2004. Wilma Mankiller, also a founder, joined the women at the conference. As the first woman in charge of the Cherokee Nation, one of the country's largest tribes, Mankiller emerged as a respected national leader.
As a keynote speaker, the former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation encouraged women to remain positive. She said participation in tribal ceremonies helped her persevere through the trials and tribulations of leadership.
The gathering also attracted leaders like Geri Small, a WEWIN founder and the first woman to lead her Northern Cheyenne Tribe as president. Small encouraged participants to offer support to their female leaders back home.
Like Small, many participants have faced challenges at home. Many others were trying to figure out how to overcome them. Most shared an indelible social conscience. The conference gave them a chance to discuss issues facing their communities.
Invited speakers addressed topics such as sovereignty, health, methamphetamine use, tribal budgets and personal finance. I was invited to speak on a panel about tribal images in the media.
I left inspired by some of the amazing women who arrived to share their wisdom and stories. A Tuesday luncheon proved to be a highlight when organizers honored these six leaders: Mamie Bohay, Kiowa; Juanita Ahtone, Kiowa; Merna Lewis, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Alfretta Antone, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Leona Kakar, Ak Chin Indian Community; and Homer, a Shasta and Mohave.
I sat in awe as each woman was introduced. Each had an incredible list of life achievements.
These women have held top leadership positions in their tribes. They've been given keys to cities. They founded Indian centers and museums. They've fought for civil rights and started health clinics. They've been named elders of the year and women of the year. They've been leaders in the National Congress of American Indians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
I felt heartened about the future of Indian Country because the women represented leaders in Arizona alone. The truth is, amazing Indian women can be found in tribal communities across the country.
Much of the time, these women are working behind the scenes, working for men, working in environments where their skills often go unrecognized.
"But we do it anyway," said Ahtone, one of the honorees. "And we make you guys look good. We do all the work. You get all the credit."
Yet none of these women has sought glory. Their success in life was driven by the need to improve the lives of others.
"I love my community so much," said Lewis, who also was honored. "I've always tried to be there when they needed something."
I was sitting with a friend as we watched the conference unfold.
"Isn't it amazing how much women can shine once you get male egos out of the way?" she asked.
I agreed.
Next year's conference likely will be scheduled in July. Organizers are expected to announce a location in September. It's not often a gathering takes place where women are encouraged to draw upon traditions and cultural values to create stronger networks, to impact public policy, to spark economic development and encourage and support one another.
This is the kind of place where you want to bring a mother or daughter. WEWIN founders remind all of us how we should uphold dignity and honor in our families, communities and tribes.
(Jodi Rave covers American Indian ssues for Lee Enterprises. Reach her at 406-523-5299 or jodi.rave@;lee.net.)
Jay Winter Nightwolf, WPFW Radio and NATV.org wrote on Jul 22, 2006 7:18 AM:
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