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The Cherokee Word for Water is a feature length motion picture that tells the story of the work in the Bell Community that lead Wilma Mankiller to become the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

 This film is dedicated to the memory of Wilma Mankiller, Johnson Soap, the Bell Community and the contributions and potential of Indian people everywhere.

About:  "The Cherokee Word for Water" starring Kimberly Guerrero, Mo Brings Plenty,

Description:  “The Cherokee Word for Water” is a full-length feature film about a Cherokee community, its indomitable courage and the leadership of an extraordinary woman, Wilma Mankiller, whose unwavering dedication and leadership led a community to self-sufficiency and self-determination. "The Cherokee Word for Water" is dedicated to Wilma Mankiller’s vision, compassion and incredible grace.

This film will be shot entirely on location in Tahlequah, OK. The Kickstarter.com project will fund the first day of filming, specifically: cast, production staff, extra talent, set operations, special effects, set dressing, set lighting, camera and production sound.


Even in the 21st Century, the most unbelievable myths and stereotypes about Indian people are perpetuated in the media as well as in popular culture. As Ben Nighthorse Campbell said, "Often media outlets are being unwitting conduits for professional media manipulators representing anti- Indian groups." Indian people and their allies must fight these misperceptions on a number of fronts by using the mass media, tribal governments, writers, teachers, curators, artists and filmmakers to dispel them. This movie is one such effort.


Plot Outline:  Set in the early 1980s, The Cherokee Word for Water begins in the homes of a small town in rural Oklahoma where many houses lack running water and others are little more than shacks. The movie is told from the perspective of Wilma Mankiller and full-blood Cherokee organizer Charlie Soap who join forces to battle opposition and build a 16-mile waterline system using a community of volunteers. In the process, they inspire the townspeople to trust each other, to trust their way of thinking, and to spark a reawakening of the universal indigenous values of reciprocity and interconnectedness. This project also inspired a self-help movement in Indian Country that continues to this day.


VIDEO

Responses to ""Cherokee Word For Water": Story of the first modern female Chief of the Cherokee Nation. (Video)"

  1. Unknown says:

    Thank you. Long over due and yet perfect timing - thats the SPIRIT working... THANK YOU.

  2. Unknown says:

    Great, thank you

  3. deborah mabry says:

    thank you jesus,i am Cherokee and I love this film is long overdue,blessings to you and everyone connected to this film in jesus name,love ya



  4. Robin says:

    Can't wait to see it

  5. women leaders bring balance to the table. this is great. we can do that.

  6. Anonymous says:

    My grandmother would be so proud to know that this film is being made, so I will doubly enjoy knowing that this story is being told.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I am new at this, how do I get to watch the movie. I love movies like this. Wado

  8. Anonymous says:

    would love to see this, how do we get to see it, will it be in the cinema's

  9. Unknown says:

    I would love to see this movie, when and where will it be playing?

  10. Unknown says:

    I would love to see this movie, when and where will it be playing?

  11. To honor Chief "Wilma" Mankiller and Charlie Soap, your people are so proud of you.

  12. To honor Chief "Wilma" Mankiller and Charlie Soap, your people are so proud of you.

  13. I would love to see this movie! Many blessings to all involved bringing it to the screen.

  14. This is a movie I'd like to see shown here in Chicago, maybe at the American Indian Center or at the Pow Wow in September. I like the idea that Indian communities can get something really positive for the whole community done working together with some help. I have seen this to be true in watching the American Indian Center grow here in CHicago. Good people are everywhere.

  15. I would like to see this as a feature film at the Next AIC Pow Wow.

  16. Unknown says:

    I would love to see this movie in my town. This is very inspiring, and shows how anyone no matter who you are, can come together to make a difference.

  17. Anonymous says:

    My Grand Father would be so proud, if only he could see it~~~Of course he does, since he will always be here for me!!

  18. Jacquelyn forsythe says:

    My great-Gandmother Harriet Rose-Smith would be proud of her people. And she would be so happy to see that her people are pulling together again. Thank you.

  19. Unknown says:

    I would love to see this movie, here can it be viewed? I live in the Pacific Northwest not far from the Canadian border and the Lummi Indian reservation. My adopted family there would love to see this as well, even though I'm only 1/8th Blackfoot by birth I'm proud of both my birth heritage and my adopted Lummi heritage. This movie is long overdue.


  20. I was a younger man who was in my 30's and heard Wilma Mankiler speak at Dartmouth in Hanover New Hampshire. It moved me and I gifted her a pair of ear rings I had just finished and she wore them when she spoke. I am 1/8 Cherokee and 1/8 Abenaki. May this film help others as she did me and many others.

  21. Unknown says:

    I live in California, how do I find this movie?

  22. Unknown says:

    Had I not researched and read and heard Wilma Mankiller's speeches and works written about her...I don't know if I would be in my tribal position today...she's been such a great inspiration and influence for the last 20 years...ashoge...Lorraine Garcia (Chihene Nde Nation Of New Mexico)

  23. Anonymous says:

    This is a Blessing in its own right!! I hope we can get that film(DVD) here in Canada. Our Federal government recently removed environmental regulations on a very large number of lakes and waterways in this country!! Unbelievable!! I'm sure that like the current "crisis" in Detroit(which is about money anyway.) plus stories and movies like this will bring the subject of clean water right to the forefront of the public eye. Removing environmental controls is a disaster waiting to happen!! It is our children and grandchildren who will suffer greatly for this political folly!!

  24. doreen says:

    This is great and my our creator bless all on this. Amen

  25. Tiina Salmivuori says:

    I hope that this film is also shown in other countries. I would like to see this.

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