“Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it- and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.” -Wilma Mankiller, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, 1985-1995
The buffalo nickel, minted between 1913-1938, is in my opinion the most beautiful coin in the history of the U.S. Mint. Paying homage to Indigenous peoples with a composite profile of a Native American on one side, and the national mammal of the United States, the American Bison or “buffalo” on the other.
I always wear one to be mindful of Wilma Mankiller’s words of resilience in times of struggle or despair but also, to remember her words in the context in which she meant them.
Did she say these words so that white people can turn her into a mantra? Or did she say them to her people to give them strength against the colonization that continues to this day. I wear one and think of my privilege, how I have benefitted from colonization, and that the choice must be made to acknowledge this truth and pay reparations for it.
I say to you, wear this coin your country made with these images emblazoned upon it- having done what it did to Indigenous people- and remember history. Remember whose land you walk on, and those who walked on this land before you. Which communities have you benefitted from through generations of their colonization, and who would benefit from your help today? Do you support Indigenous/POC artists and businesses? Do you help protect Indigenous land trusts? Do you believe Indigenous women? Do you respect the land and nature, or contribute to it’s abuse? Maybe your storm to charge is one you didn’t necessarily cause but you continue to kick up whether you realize it or not. If you caused the storm, you need to figure out a way to calm it.
30% of this sale will be donated to the Native American Rights Fund: www.narf.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This buffalo nickel bears its own date from the year it was minted and is bezel set in recycled sterling silver.
