American Indian Minute

“Every Day is a Good Day” is a book of reflections by Contemporary Indigenous Women that was written and compiled by Wilma Mankiller. In this collection American Indian women leaders discuss their traditions and culture, tribal governance, female role models, and love and community, to name just a few of the topics.

The book concludes with biographies of each of the contributors and a quotation by each.  One that spoke to me is by Faith Smith, an Ojibway Indian:

“Woman build more bridges and try to find connections instead of confrontation.  Women have to negotiate all the time, from the moment we get up until we go to bed at night.  We may not like everybody, but we can build a long-term agenda without camps or factions.”

Submitted by Pat Elsaesser, American Indian Chairman