If someone was scrolling through titles online to watch they might be forgiven for thinking this film is a true crime documentary. While that in a sense, would not be entirely inaccurate, the narrative here is not about a single crime, but about a single individual dedicating her life to addressing a succession of crimes committed over history on the Cherokee Indian Nation and its people.
Mankiller, directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl tells the true story Wilma P Mankiller, a woman of the Cherokee nation who became its first prominent female activist in modern times. The documentary first explores the origins of the tribe, which always was a female driven society, the devastating effects of colonisation and the impact it had in destroying and fragmenting Chereokee culture and traditions.
Then we to Wilma's early upbringings and her first steps into activism. First within the 1960s social political movement of San Francisco, where she involved in protests against local government oppression and policies, later becoming one of several people to occupy Alcatraz prison for 19 months. A staunch activist of self-determination for the Cherokee Nation, the documentary follows her return to Oklahoma and her involvement in the Pit River protest, as well as the Bell Waterline Project. Driven to give her people the power and means of self-determination, this is the story of a relentless and truly unique woman, and it makes for compelling viewing.
But this is more than just a by numbers documentary, this is the story of an incredible individual who dedicated her whole life to a single cause - her people. Such people made with this type of moral fibre are a rare breed indeed. The meat of the narrative is presented from an incredible amount of archive and personal footage depicting Mankiller's life from her early years right through to her life in political office in the 1990s. There is no need for a guest voice over here, for Wilma herself is very much front and center throughout, and rightly so.
This is footage is interspersed with a plethora of personal interviews from those who worked alongside her, to those influenced by her actions. Her husband, her friends, political colleagues and family members, discussing everything from personal anecdotes to debating the nations involvement into the gaming and gambling institutions that provide a huge source of income today. This is simply a very powerful story about a passionate and driven woman who would not quit, even when her body began to give in. There has been a 2015 film drama which covers a small portion of her life, but I feel the story of Wilma P Mankiller should be told on a far broader canvas. If anyone deserves a six part mini series about her life on Netflix its this incredible warrior. Among her last words were 'I don't think I left any great legacy, I hope it will be said that she did what she could...' - Never has a person been so humble about their range of impactful achievements. If you want to know the story of Wilma P Mankiller then this film is where you should start. Humbling and essential viewing for every American and beyond.
