🪶Native American Literature Unit 9 – Native American Memoir & Non-Fiction

Historical Context

• Native American memoir and non-fiction emerged as a distinct genre in the late 20th century, building on a long tradition of oral storytelling and autobiographical narratives
• Early examples include Black Elk Speaks (1932) by Black Elk and John G. Neihardt, and Lakota Woman (1990) by Mary Crow Dog and Richard Erdoes
• The genre gained prominence during the Native American Renaissance, a period of increased literary output and cultural activism in the 1960s and 1970s
• Authors often address the impact of colonialism, forced assimilation, and the struggle for cultural preservation and political sovereignty
  • Boarding school experiences (Carlisle Indian Industrial School) and the suppression of Native languages and traditions are common themes
• The American Indian Movement (AIM) and other activist organizations played a significant role in raising awareness of Native American issues and inspiring writers to share their stories
• The passage of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 1990 and other legislation has led to increased interest in Native American history and culture
• Contemporary Native American memoir and non-fiction continues to explore issues of identity, cultural revitalization, and the ongoing fight for social justice and environmental protection

Key Authors and Works

• N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa): The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969), a blend of personal memoir, Kiowa folklore, and historical commentary
• Vine Deloria Jr. (Standing Rock Sioux): Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto (1969), a groundbreaking work of political and cultural criticism
• Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo): Storyteller (1981), a collection of stories, poems, and photographs exploring Laguna Pueblo culture and the power of storytelling
• Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Chippewa): The Blue Jay's Dance: A Birth Year (1995), a memoir of motherhood and the natural world
  • Erdrich's other non-fiction works include Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country (2003) and The Painted Drum (2005)
• Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene): The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1993), a collection of short stories based on Alexie's experiences growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation
  • Alexie's memoir, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me (2017), explores his complicated relationship with his mother and the legacy of intergenerational trauma
• Winona LaDuke (White Earth Ojibwe): All Our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life (1999), an examination of Native American environmental activism and the fight against resource extraction on tribal lands
• Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek): Crazy Brave (2012), a memoir that weaves together poetry, music, and Native American mythology to tell the story of Harjo's life and artistic journey

Themes and Motifs

• Identity and belonging: Native American authors often explore the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities and the search for a sense of place and purpose
• Cultural preservation and revitalization: Many works emphasize the importance of maintaining traditional knowledge, languages, and practices in the face of assimilation pressures
  • Authors may incorporate Native American myths, legends, and oral histories into their narratives to keep these traditions alive
• Intergenerational trauma and healing: The legacy of historical traumas such as forced relocation, boarding schools, and cultural suppression is a recurring theme
  • Authors often explore the process of healing and reconciliation, both on a personal and community level
• Connection to the land and environment: Native American worldviews emphasize the interdependence of humans and the natural world
  • Many works celebrate the beauty and sacredness of the land while also addressing the impacts of environmental degradation and resource extraction
• Political resistance and activism: Native American memoir and non-fiction often serves as a form of political advocacy, exposing injustices and calling for social change
  • Authors may document their own experiences as activists or provide historical context for ongoing struggles for sovereignty and self-determination
• Spirituality and ceremony: Traditional Native American spiritual practices, such as sweat lodges, vision quests, and seasonal ceremonies, are often depicted as sources of strength and resilience
• Education and the power of storytelling: Many authors emphasize the importance of education, both in terms of preserving traditional knowledge and acquiring Western academic skills
  • The act of storytelling itself is often portrayed as a means of cultural transmission, healing, and empowerment

Narrative Techniques

• Blending of genres: Native American memoir and non-fiction often incorporates elements of poetry, fiction, and oral storytelling, creating hybrid forms that challenge Western literary conventions
• Non-linear narrative structures: Authors may employ circular or episodic narrative patterns that reflect Native American concepts of time and the interconnectedness of events
  • This can include the use of flashbacks, dream sequences, and multiple storylines that converge and diverge throughout the work
• Use of Native American languages: Many authors incorporate words, phrases, and passages in their ancestral languages, often with translations or contextual clues for non-Native readers
  • This serves to assert cultural identity, preserve linguistic heritage, and challenge the dominance of English in literary discourse
• Inclusion of photographs, maps, and other visual elements: Some works feature photographs of family members, landscapes, or cultural artifacts that provide additional context and depth to the narrative
  • Maps may be used to illustrate tribal territories, migration routes, or significant historical sites
• Dialogue with the reader: Authors often address the reader directly, inviting them to engage with the text as a participant in the storytelling process
  • This can include the use of second-person pronouns, rhetorical questions, and calls to action
• Humor and irony: Despite the often serious subject matter, many Native American authors employ humor and irony as a means of cultural critique and resilience
  • This can range from gentle self-deprecation to biting satire of colonial institutions and attitudes
• Intertextuality and allusion: Authors may reference or engage with other Native American literary works, historical documents, or cultural narratives, creating a rich web of intertextual connections
  • This can serve to situate the work within a larger tradition of Native American storytelling and resistance

Cultural Significance

• Native American memoir and non-fiction plays a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge, values, and histories that have often been suppressed or marginalized by dominant society
• These works provide a counternarrative to the stereotypes and misconceptions perpetuated by mainstream media and popular culture
  • By presenting authentic, firsthand accounts of Native American experiences, these authors challenge the notion of a monolithic "Indian" identity and assert the diversity and complexity of Native cultures
• The genre has helped to raise awareness of Native American issues and perspectives among non-Native audiences, fostering greater understanding and solidarity
• For Native American readers, these works can serve as a source of validation, inspiration, and cultural pride, affirming the value of their own stories and experiences
• The success of Native American memoir and non-fiction has helped to create more opportunities for Native writers and has contributed to the growth of Native American studies as an academic discipline
• These works have also played a role in political and social movements, such as the fight for tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, and the protection of sacred sites
  • By documenting the ongoing struggles and resilience of Native communities, these authors bear witness to history and inspire future generations of activists and leaders
• The genre has helped to foster a sense of pan-Indian identity and solidarity, highlighting the shared experiences and challenges faced by Native peoples across diverse tribal nations
  • At the same time, these works celebrate the unique cultural traditions, languages, and histories of specific tribes, affirming the importance of local knowledge and identity

Contemporary Relevance

• Native American memoir and non-fiction continues to be a vital and growing genre, with new voices emerging to address the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century
• The ongoing impact of historical traumas, such as the boarding school era and the forced removal of Native children from their families, remains a pressing concern
  • Works like Tanya Talaga's Seven Fallen Feathers (2017) and Nick Estes' Our History Is the Future (2019) examine the legacy of these policies and the fight for justice and healing
• Environmental issues, such as climate change, resource extraction, and the protection of sacred sites, are increasingly urgent themes in contemporary Native American writing
  • Authors like Deborah A. Miranda (Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir, 2013) and Robin Wall Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, 2013) explore the intersection of traditional ecological knowledge and modern environmental activism
• The movement for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) has inspired a wave of new works that address the epidemic of violence against Native women and girls
  • Books like Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment (2018) and Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman (2020) examine the historical and contemporary factors that contribute to this crisis
• The rise of social media and digital platforms has created new opportunities for Native American writers to share their stories and connect with audiences around the world
  • Native American bloggers, podcasters, and social media influencers are using these tools to challenge stereotypes, promote cultural pride, and advocate for social justice
• The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Native American communities, exacerbating existing health disparities and economic challenges
  • Native American writers have responded with works that document the resilience and creativity of their communities in the face of this crisis, such as Natalie Diaz's Postcolonial Love Poem (2020) and Tommy Orange's There There (2018)
• The Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice campaigns have led to increased solidarity and collaboration between Native American and other marginalized communities
  • Works like Nick Estes' Our History Is the Future (2019) and Alicia Garza's The Purpose of Power (2020) explore the intersections of Native American struggles and broader movements for racial and economic justice

Critical Reception

• Native American memoir and non-fiction has received increasing critical attention and acclaim in recent decades, with many works winning major literary awards and being taught in schools and universities
• Early works like N. Scott Momaday's The Way to Rainy Mountain (1969) and Vine Deloria Jr.'s Custer Died for Your Sins (1969) are now considered classics of the genre and have inspired generations of Native American writers
• The genre has challenged traditional Western notions of autobiography and non-fiction, with critics praising the innovative use of narrative techniques, the blending of genres, and the incorporation of Native American storytelling traditions
• Some critics have raised concerns about the potential for cultural appropriation or misrepresentation when non-Native authors write about Native American experiences
  • This has led to increased emphasis on the importance of Native American authorship and the need for non-Native readers to approach these works with respect and cultural humility
• The genre has also faced challenges in terms of marketing and distribution, with some Native American authors struggling to find mainstream publishers or reach wider audiences
  • The rise of independent presses, such as Haymarket Books and Fulcrum Publishing, has helped to create more opportunities for Native American writers to share their stories on their own terms
• Critics have also noted the diversity and complexity of Native American memoir and non-fiction, with works ranging from deeply personal narratives to sweeping historical and political analyses
  • This has challenged the notion of a singular "Native American experience" and highlighted the need for a more nuanced and intersectional approach to the study of Native American literature
• The genre has played a significant role in the development of Native American literary criticism and theory, with scholars like Gerald Vizenor, Paula Gunn Allen, and Elizabeth Cook-Lynn providing important frameworks for understanding Native American storytelling traditions and cultural aesthetics
• Contemporary critics have also emphasized the importance of reading Native American memoir and non-fiction in the context of ongoing struggles for social justice and cultural sovereignty
  • This has led to increased attention to the political and activist dimensions of these works, as well as their potential to inspire solidarity and collective action

Further Reading and Resources

• Anthologies:
  • Native American Literature: A Very Short Introduction by Sean Teuton (2018)
  • Nothing But the Truth: An Anthology of Native American Literature edited by John L. Purdy and James Ruppert (2001)
  • Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature edited by Qwo-Li Driskill, Daniel Heath Justice, Deborah Miranda, and Lisa Tatonetti (2011)
• Critical Studies:
  • The Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature edited by Joy Porter and Kenneth M. Roemer (2005)
  • That the People Might Live: Native American Literatures and Native American Community by Jace Weaver (1997)
  • Reasoning Together: The Native Critics Collective edited by Craig S. Womack, Daniel Heath Justice, and Christopher B. Teuton (2008)
• Online Resources:
  • Native American Heritage Month: https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/
  • American Indian Library Association: https://ailanet.org/
  • Native Arts and Cultures Foundation: https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/
  • Indian Country Today: https://indiancountrytoday.com/
• Podcasts:
  • All My Relations hosted by Matika Wilbur and Adrienne Keene
  • Native America Calling hosted by Tara Gatewood
  • Toasted Sister Podcast hosted by Andi Murphy
  • The Red Nation Podcast hosted by Nick Estes and Jen Marley
• Film and Television:
  • Reel Injun (2009) directed by Neil Diamond, Catherine Bainbridge, and Jeremiah Hayes
  • Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017) directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana
  • Reservation Dogs (2021-present) created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi
  • Rutherford Falls (2021-2022) created by Ed Helms, Michael Schur, and Sierra Teller Ornelas