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A new Barbie doll is ruffling some feathers.
The doll honoring Native American chief Wilma Mankiller drew sneers when it was rolled out with an embarrassing error on the box that said “Chicken” instead of “Cherokee.”
Regina Thompson, a Cherokee basket weaver, pointed out the error, explainh how one of the Cherokee language symbols on the packaging translates to “Chicken,” rather than “Cherokee.”
A representative for Toymaker Mattel, who made the doll, said the company is “discussing options,” in response to the mistake.
Matell worked with Mankiller’s estate — which is led by her husband, Charlie Soap, and her friend, Kristina Kiehl — on the new doll but did not consult with the Cherokee Nation on its creation.
“Regrettably, the Mattel company did not work directly with the tribal government’s design and communications team to secure the official Seal or verify it,” the tribe told The AP in a statement.
The doll in the image of the late chief of the indigenous tribe is part of its series of “Inspiring Women.”
“The printing mistake itself does not diminish what it means for the Cherokee people to see this tribute to Wilma and who she was and what she stood for,” the tribe added.
Mankiller, who died in 2010 at age 64, was the nation’s first female principal chief and led the Cherokee Nation for a decade until 1995.
The activist — who met with three US presidents and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award –focused on improving social conditions and on restoring pride in Native heritage.
She reacted to her bellicose last name with humor.
“Mankiller is actually a well-earned nickname,” the Oklahoma native is known to have quipped.
The tribe’s current leader, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., applauded Mattel for commemorating Mankiller.
“When Native girls see it, they can achieve it, and Wilma Mankiller has shown countless young women to be fearless and speak up for Indigenous and human rights,” Hoskin said in a statement.
“Wilma Mankiller is a champion for the Cherokee Nation, for Indian Country, and even my own daughter,” he added.
The Barbie doll, which features her wearing a ribbon skirt, black shoes and carrying a woven basket has, however, drawn mixed reactions.
While many say it is a fitting tribute, some Cherokee women criticized Mattel for overlooking important elements of the doll and its packaging.
“Mixed emotions shared by me and many other Cherokee women who have now purchased the product revolve around whether a Wilma Barbie captures her legacy, her physical features and the importance of centering Cherokee women in decision making,” Stacy Leeds, dean of the Arizona State University’s law school and a former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court justice, said in an email.
Thompson doesn’t even think the doll looks like Mankiller and said the company should have used traditional moccasins instead of shoes and included symbols on the basket.
“Wilma’s name is the only thing Cherokee on that box,” Thompson said. “Nothing about that doll is Wilma — nothing.”
Several Cherokees also ripped Mattel for not consulting with Mankiller’s only surviving child, Felicia Olaya.
“I have no issues with the doll. I have no issues with honoring my mom in different ways,” said Olaya, who acknowledged that she and Soap, her stepfather, are estranged.
“The issue is that no one informed me, no one told me. I didn’t know it was coming,” she said, adding that she was unsure how her mom would have reacted to the doll.
“I’m not sure how she would feel about this,” Olaya said. “I heard her once on the phone saying, ‘I’m not Princess Diana, nor am I Barbie.’ I think she probably would have been a little conflicted on that, because my mom was very humble.”
And yet, she said she hopes to buy a few of the Barbies for her grandchildren.
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