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.”
Toymaker Mattel released the iconic doll, which was made in the image of the late chief of the indigenous tribe, as part of its series of “Inspiring Women.”
Mankiller, who died in 2010 at age 64, was the nation’s first female principal chief and led the tribe 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 quipped.
Tribe’s current leader, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr., applauded Mattel for commemorating her.
“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 been met with mixed reactions – with some saying it is a fitting tribute.
But 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, told The Associated Press in an email.
Regina Thompson, a Cherokee basket weaver who doesn’t even think the doll looks like Mankiller, 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 told The AP. “Nothing about that doll is Wilma — nothing.”
And then there’s the errant symbol.
She pointed out that one of the Cherokee language symbols on the packaging translates to “Chicken,” rather than “Cherokee.”
Company rep Devin Tucker said the company is “discussing options.”
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 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,” it added.
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.
Soap and Kiehl did not respond to messages left by the outlet.