🪶Native American Literature Unit 1 – Native American Literature: An Introduction

Key Concepts and Themes

• Native American literature encompasses a wide range of oral and written traditions, including creation stories, myths, legends, songs, and contemporary works
• Themes of identity, cultural preservation, and resistance to colonialism and assimilation are prevalent throughout Native American literature
  • Many works explore the impact of historical events such as the Trail of Tears and the Indian Removal Act on Native communities
  • The concept of "survivance," coined by Anishinaabe scholar Gerald Vizenor, refers to the active presence and continuance of Native peoples despite attempts at erasure
• Connection to land and the natural world is a central theme, often depicted through the use of animal and nature imagery
• Oral storytelling traditions play a significant role in Native American literature, with many contemporary works drawing upon or incorporating elements of traditional storytelling
• The concept of "two-spirit" individuals, who embody both masculine and feminine qualities, is explored in some Native American literary works
• Native American literature often challenges Western literary conventions and genres, blending elements of oral and written traditions, as well as incorporating Indigenous languages and cultural references

Historical Context

• Native American literature has its roots in the rich oral traditions of Indigenous peoples, which predate European contact and colonization
• The arrival of European colonizers and the subsequent centuries of colonialism, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression have had a profound impact on Native American literature and culture
  • The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Trail of Tears resulted in the forced relocation of many Native American tribes, disrupting their traditional ways of life and cultural practices
  • The establishment of the Indian boarding school system in the late 19th century aimed to assimilate Native children into white American culture, often through the suppression of Native languages and traditions
• The Native American Renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s saw a resurgence of Native American literature and activism, with authors such as N. Scott Momaday and Leslie Marmon Silko gaining national recognition
• The passage of the Native American Languages Act in 1990 and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act in 1990 marked important steps in the recognition and protection of Native American cultural heritage
• Contemporary Native American literature continues to grapple with the ongoing effects of colonialism, while also celebrating the resilience and vitality of Native cultures

Major Authors and Works

• N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa): Known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "House Made of Dawn" (1968), which is considered a seminal work of the Native American Renaissance
• Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo): Author of the acclaimed novel "Ceremony" (1977), which incorporates elements of Laguna Pueblo oral tradition and explores themes of healing and cultural identity
• Louise Erdrich (Ojibwe): Known for her novels, including "Love Medicine" (1984) and "The Round House" (2012), which depict the lives and experiences of Ojibwe characters
• Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene): Author of short story collections, such as "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993), and the semi-autobiographical novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (2007)
• Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek): The first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, known for her poetry collections, including "In Mad Love and War" (1990) and "An American Sunrise" (2019)
• Simon J. Ortiz (Acoma Pueblo): Poet and author of the short story collection "The Man to Send Rain Clouds" (1969) and the poetry collection "From Sand Creek" (1981)
• James Welch (Blackfeet/Gros Ventre): Known for his novels "Winter in the Blood" (1974) and "Fools Crow" (1986), which explore the experiences of Native American characters in the American West

Literary Styles and Techniques

• Native American literature often incorporates elements of oral storytelling traditions, such as repetition, formulaic phrases, and a focus on the spoken word
• Many works blend genres, combining elements of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction to create unique and innovative forms
  • Leslie Marmon Silko's "Storyteller" (1981) combines short stories, poetry, and photographs to create a multifaceted narrative
  • N. Scott Momaday's "The Way to Rainy Mountain" (1969) blends personal memoir, Kiowa folklore, and historical commentary
• The use of Native American languages and phrases is common, often without translation, as a means of asserting cultural identity and resisting assimilation
• Non-linear and cyclical narrative structures are prevalent, reflecting Native American concepts of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future
• Symbolism and imagery drawn from nature and animal life are frequently employed to convey themes and cultural values
• Some works, such as Sherman Alexie's "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven," use humor and irony to address serious topics and challenge stereotypes
• Contemporary Native American literature often engages with issues of identity, cultural hybridity, and the challenges of navigating between Native and non-Native worlds

Cultural Significance

• Native American literature plays a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions
  • Oral storytelling traditions have served as a means of passing down cultural knowledge, values, and histories for generations
  • Contemporary works continue to document and celebrate Native American cultures, ensuring their survival and vitality
• Literature serves as a form of resistance against the erasure and suppression of Native American voices and experiences
  • Works often challenge dominant narratives and stereotypes about Native Americans, asserting the complexity and diversity of Indigenous identities
  • The act of writing and publishing itself can be seen as a form of resistance and self-determination
• Native American literature provides a platform for Indigenous perspectives and experiences to be shared with a wider audience, fostering greater understanding and empathy
• The success and recognition of Native American authors and works have contributed to a growing awareness and appreciation of Indigenous cultures and issues
• Native American literature has played a role in social and political movements, such as the American Indian Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, by giving voice to the struggles and aspirations of Native communities

Critical Perspectives

• Early critical approaches to Native American literature often relied on Western literary standards and failed to consider the unique cultural contexts and traditions of Indigenous works
• The concept of "ethnocriticism," developed by scholars such as Craig Womack (Muscogee Creek/Cherokee), emphasizes the importance of understanding Native American literature through the lens of Indigenous cultural values and aesthetics
• Postcolonial and decolonial theories have been applied to Native American literature, examining the ways in which works resist and subvert colonial power structures and assert Indigenous sovereignty
• Feminist and queer theory approaches have explored the representation of gender and sexuality in Native American literature, as well as the intersections of race, class, and gender in the experiences of Native American women and LGBTQ+ individuals
• Ecocritical perspectives have examined the centrality of land, nature, and environmental themes in Native American literature, as well as the ways in which works critique the environmental destruction wrought by colonialism and capitalism
• Some scholars have advocated for a "tribally specific" approach to Native American literary criticism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the distinct cultural, historical, and linguistic contexts of individual Native nations
• Contemporary critical approaches often emphasize the need for greater representation and inclusion of Native American voices in the study and teaching of Native American literature

Contemporary Relevance

• Native American literature continues to thrive and evolve, with new generations of Indigenous writers exploring a wide range of themes and styles
• Contemporary works often grapple with the ongoing effects of colonialism, including issues of cultural identity, language loss, and the struggle for political and economic self-determination
  • Tommy Orange's novel "There There" (2018) explores the experiences of urban Native Americans and the complexities of identity in the modern world
  • Natalie Diaz's poetry collection "Postcolonial Love Poem" (2020) examines the intersections of love, desire, and the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities
• Native American literature plays a vital role in educating non-Native readers about the histories, cultures, and contemporary realities of Indigenous peoples
• The success and visibility of contemporary Native American authors have helped to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Indigenous peoples and cultures
• Native American literature has increasingly been recognized by mainstream literary institutions, with works receiving major awards such as the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award
• The study and teaching of Native American literature have expanded in recent years, with a growing number of universities offering courses and programs in Indigenous literary studies
• Contemporary Native American writers are also engaging with global Indigenous issues and movements, forging connections and solidarity with Indigenous peoples around the world

Further Reading and Resources

• "The Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature" (2005), edited by Joy Porter and Kenneth M. Roemer, provides a comprehensive overview of the field, with essays on key themes, authors, and historical periods
• "Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature" (2011), edited by Qwo-Li Driskill, Daniel Heath Justice, Deborah Miranda, and Lisa Tatonetti, showcases the work of LGBTQ+ Indigenous writers and explores the concept of two-spirit identity
• "Reclaiming Native Truth: A Project to Dispel America's Myths and Misconceptions" (2018), a report by the First Nations Development Institute and Echo Hawk Consulting, examines the pervasive stereotypes and misconceptions about Native Americans and offers strategies for countering them
• The Native American Literature Symposium, an annual conference organized by the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL), brings together scholars, writers, and students to discuss the latest research and developments in the field
• The "Native American Authors" website (http://www.ipl.org/div/natam/) provides a comprehensive directory of Native American writers, with links to biographies, bibliographies, and online resources
• The "Native Arts and Cultures Foundation" (https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/) supports the work of Indigenous artists and writers through grants, fellowships, and other programs
• The "Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers" (https://wordcraftcircle.org/) is a non-profit organization that promotes the work of Native American writers and storytellers through workshops, conferences, and other events