Wilma Mankiller Honored by Mattel, But Criticism Persists
Mattel's new Barbie doll, paying tribute to Cherokee pioneer leader Wilma Mankiller, has been met with mixed reactions
Wilma Mankiller, the trailblazing Cherokee leader, now has her very own Barbie doll, but not everyone is satisfied with the result.
On November 7th, Mattel introduced the Wilma Mankiller Barbie as part of their "Inspiring Women" series, honoring Mankiller's lifetime of advocacy for indigenous peoples and women's rights. The doll features a türkisfarbenes Kunststoffkleid mit Bandstreifen, die die vier Richtungen darstellen - Norden, Süden, Osten, Westen - und ein Korb in der Hand.
The doll has been selling out online, and the Cherokee Nation has reported a backlog of orders due to high demand. The Nation hosted a ceremony to honor Mankiller at their offices in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Superintendent Chuck Hoskin Jr. praised the doll in a statement, saying, "When Cherokee girls see this, they can aspire to achieve the same, and Wilma Mankiller showed countless young women what it means to be fearless and advocate for the rights of indigenous people and human rights."
While many Cherokee Nation members appreciate the tribute, some have voiced concerns that the doll could have been more accurately depicting Mankiller's traditions and culture.
Missed opportunities
The doll's design was inspired by a 2005 photograph of Mankiller, now housed in the Library of Congress. In the picture, Mankiller is wearing a black dress with colorful stripes, along with a brightly woven basket around her arm.
Many have pointed out that the basket could have been more accurately represented in the doll's design. Julie Reed, an associate professor of American Indian and U.S. History at Penn State and member of the Cherokee Nation, took issue with the basket's appearance. "The basket is not woven according to traditional Cherokee patterns," she explained during an interview with CNN.
Reeds also suggested incorporating other distinctive features of Mankiller's wardrobe, such as the signature jewelry she often wore. "Wilma Mankiller always wore jewelry - often gifts from local craftsmen, such as many necklaces made of clay beads. She was one of the first Cherokee women to openly wear a necklace, as one of the leading female leaders," she told CNN.
Mattel declined to comment for this article, but a spokesperson confirmed that they collaborated with Mankiller's family and artwork by her husband, Charlie Soap, and friend Kristina Kiehl to develop the doll. The Cherokee Nation said they were not involved in the production of the doll, but they do not feel that the tribute is less meaningful as a result.
Malfunctioning consultation
Critics also took issue with the fact that Mankiller's surviving daughter, Felicia Olaya, was not consulted during the design process for the doll. While Olaya expressed frustration during an interview that she wasn't consulted, she also emphasized the importance of allowing Cherokee children to play with the Wilma Mankiller Barbie doll.
"During our next family gathering, which was Christmas, I had warm thoughts about my granddaughter, my niece, many family members sitting around, playing with Wilma, the Killer Barbie, and I hope that one day they will become chiefs or leaders of the Cherokee Nation," Olaya said at the ceremony.
Traci Sorell, a Cherokee children's book author who has written a chapter book about Mankiller, believes that further collaboration between Mattel and the Mankiller family and the Cherokee Nation would have enriched the final product even more. "A stronger involvement of the Mankiller family and the Cherokee Nation would have taken the doll to another level," she told CNN.
In addition to the apparent lack of consultation, Mattel has been criticized for a misspelling of the Cherokee Nation's seal on the packaging for the doll, with "Chicken Nation" instead of "Cherokee Nation." The company said it was aware of the issue and is discussing options to address it.
Facing criticism or saluting an icon?
Despite controversy surrounding the doll's design, many Cherokee Nation members and admirers of Mankiller view the tribute as an important step toward celebrating her legacy and inspiring future leaders. Reed and Sorell both view Mankiller as an inspiration, and many have pointed to her steadfast dedication to education, health, and housing.
Mankiller, born in 1945 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, spent several years advocating for indigenous communities in California before returning to Oklahoma in 1977. She became a champion of better water and housing conditions for Cherokee communities[1]. Mankiller went on to become the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation, serving from 1985 to 1995. In 1998, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom[1].
Revitalizing Mankiller's legacy and inspiring future leaders
Although some have pointed out that the doll falls short in certain areas, Sorell, the children's book author, said that she is still happy to see such an important figure being celebrated on such a significant platform. "Mattel is giving a platform to one of my childhood heroes, and I'm grateful for that," she told CNN. Sorell even purchased the doll for herself.
For Reed, the controversy raises larger questions about the collaboration between corporations and indigenous communities, particularly when it comes to cultural representation. She said, "It calls into question how this collaboration works when a company seeks advice, but isn't sure where to start or what kind of questions to ask."
Regardless of the criticism, the Wilma Mankiller Barbie doll has sparked important conversations about representation and cultural sensitivity. With time, it is hoped that future efforts to honor Mankiller and other icons of indigenous communities will be more inclusive and nuanced.
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Additional Enrichment:
To honor Mankiller's legacy further, Mattel could consider the following adjustments to the doll's design:
- Footwear: Depicting Mankiller's love of flip-flops or diabetic shoes, which she frequently wore due to health issues, would be a thoughtful representation of her personal life.
- Jewelry: Incorporating more jewelry into the doll's design, as Mankiller was known for wearing, would make for a more accurate representation of her attire.
- Basket Design: Using more traditional Cherokee basketry patterns and incorporating symbols that tell Cherokee stories could add a deeper cultural authenticity to the doll's accessory.
- Correct Seal Design: Mattel could work with the Cherokee Nation's design and communication team to ensure the correct Cherokee Nation seal is displayed on packaging.
By making these adjustments, the doll would better reflect the overall essence of Mankiller's identity and Cherokee culture.
