1.3 Overview of Major Periods and Movements

Native American literature spans centuries, from pre-contact oral traditions to contemporary works. It reflects the complex interactions between Indigenous cultures and colonialism, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and cultural preservation.

The field has evolved through distinct periods, including early colonial narratives, 19th-century writings, the Native American Renaissance of the 1960s, and contemporary literature. Each era brought new voices and perspectives, shaping a rich literary tradition that continues to grow and diversify.

Periods and Movements in Native American Literature

Pre-Contact to Early Colonial Era

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• Pre-contact oral traditions formed the foundation of Native American literature
  • Encompassed creation stories, legends, and ceremonial songs
  • Passed down through generations orally
  • Preserved cultural knowledge and spiritual beliefs
• Colonial period (16th-18th centuries) saw emergence of early written Native American literature
  • Often took form of autobiographies and conversion narratives
  • Reflected complex interactions between Native and European cultures
  • Examples include narratives of Samson Occom (Mohegan) and William Apess (Pequot)

19th Century to Mid-20th Century Developments

• 19th century marked rise of Native American authors writing in English
  • Addressed themes of cultural conflict and assimilation
  • Explored impacts of forced relocation and loss of ancestral lands
  • Notable works include "Life Among the Piutes" by Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins
• Early 20th century witnessed shift towards modernist approaches
  • Incorporated traditional storytelling techniques with Western literary forms
  • Explored tensions between traditional ways of life and modernization
  • Writers like Zitkala-Ša (Yankton Dakota) bridged oral traditions and written literature

Native American Renaissance and Contemporary Era

• Native American Renaissance began in late 1960s
  • Brought surge of Native American voices to forefront of American literature
  • Characterized by reclamation of Indigenous voices and storytelling traditions
  • Landmark works include "House Made of Dawn" by N. Scott Momaday (1968)
• Contemporary Native American literature (1990s-present) explores diverse themes
  • Addresses identity, sovereignty, and cultural revitalization
  • Experiments with various literary styles and genres
  • Prominent authors include Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Joy Harjo

Historical Influences on Native American Literature

19th Century Policies and Their Literary Impact

• Indian Removal Act of 1830 influenced themes of displacement and loss
  • Forced relocations of tribes from ancestral lands
  • Reflected in works like "The Trail of Tears" by John Rollin Ridge
• Establishment of Indian boarding schools in late 19th century shaped narratives
  • Explored cultural erasure, trauma, and resistance
  • Examples include "American Indian Stories" by Zitkala-Ša
  • Themes of cultural identity loss and reclamation persist in contemporary works

20th Century Policies and Cultural Movements

• Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 influenced themes of sovereignty
  • Impacted tribal governance structures
  • Reflected in works exploring self-determination and tribal politics
• Termination and relocation policies of 1950s-1960s inspired urban Native literature
  • Explored cultural identity in non-reservation settings
  • Examples include poetry of Simon Ortiz and novels of Louise Erdrich
• American Indian Movement of 1960s-1970s sparked literary resurgence
  • Reflected in politically charged works of Native American Renaissance
  • Influenced authors like James Welch and Leslie Marmon Silko

Late 20th Century to Present

• Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 influenced contemporary focus
  • Sparked literature on cultural reclamation and healing
  • Themes of ancestral connections and spiritual renewal
  • Reflected in works of writers like Linda Hogan and Debra Magpie Earling
• Ongoing struggles for tribal sovereignty and environmental justice shape current literature
  • Addressed in works of authors like Louise Erdrich ("The Night Watchman")
  • Exploration of climate change impacts on Indigenous communities

Key Native American Writers and Their Influence

Pioneers and Early Influencers

• William Apess (Pequot) pioneered Native American autobiography
  • "A Son of the Forest" (1829) challenged dominant narratives about Indigenous peoples
  • Addressed themes of Christian conversion and tribal identity
• Zitkala-Ša (Yankton Dakota) bridged traditional storytelling and Western forms
  • Works like "American Indian Stories" (1921) influenced subsequent generations
  • Explored tensions between Native traditions and assimilation pressures
• Charles Eastman (Santee Dakota) wrote influential autobiographical works
  • "Indian Boyhood" (1902) provided insight into traditional Dakota life
  • Advocated for Native rights and cultural preservation

Native American Renaissance Figures

• N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa) launched Native American Renaissance
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "House Made of Dawn" (1968)
  • Blended poetic language with Native American storytelling traditions
• Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo) revolutionized Native storytelling
  • Novel "Ceremony" (1977) blended traditional and postmodern techniques
  • Explored themes of healing, identity, and connection to ancestral lands
• James Welch (Blackfeet/Gros Ventre) contributed to Renaissance with historical fiction
  • "Fools Crow" (1986) depicted 19th-century Blackfeet life
  • Addressed themes of cultural preservation and resistance

Contemporary Literary Voices

• Louise Erdrich (Ojibwe) shaped contemporary Native American literature
  • Multigenerational, interconnected novels explore Anishinaabe experiences
  • Works like "Love Medicine" (1984) and "The Night Watchman" (2020)
• Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene) brought Native literature to mainstream
  • Irreverent, humorous approach to contemporary Indigenous issues
  • "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993) adapted into film
• Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek) expanded boundaries of Native American poetry
  • First Native American U.S. Poet Laureate (2019-2022)
  • Works like "An American Sunrise" (2019) blend music, spirituality, and poetry

Emergence of the Native American Renaissance

Characteristics and Cultural Context

• Began in late 1960s, marked period of unprecedented literary productivity
  • Coincided with broader civil rights movements and cultural reclamation
  • Challenged stereotypical representations of Native Americans
• Reclamation of Indigenous voices, languages, and storytelling traditions
  • Emphasis on authentic Indigenous perspectives and experiences
  • Incorporation of traditional oral narratives into written literature
• Established new literary forms blending oral traditions with Western structures
  • Experimentation with non-linear narratives and multiple perspectives
  • Use of Native languages alongside English in texts

Key Works and Themes

• N. Scott Momaday's "House Made of Dawn" (1968) considered Renaissance catalyst
  • Pulitzer Prize win brought national attention to Native American literature
  • Explored themes of cultural alienation and return to traditional ways
• Leslie Marmon Silko's "Ceremony" (1977) further developed Renaissance aesthetics
  • Integrated Laguna Pueblo storytelling with modernist techniques
  • Addressed themes of healing from historical trauma and cultural renewal
• Emphasized themes of cultural identity and historical trauma
  • Explored complexities of navigating between traditional and modern worlds
  • Addressed impacts of colonization, land loss, and forced assimilation

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

• Paved way for increased visibility of Native American literature
  • Led to establishment of Native American Studies programs in universities
  • Increased critical attention and scholarly analysis of Native texts
• Influenced subsequent generations of Native American writers
  • Encouraged continued experimentation with form and content
  • Maintained connections to cultural heritage while addressing contemporary issues
• Ongoing legacy in contemporary Native American literature
  • Continued exploration of identity, sovereignty, and cultural revitalization
  • Expansion into diverse genres (science fiction, mystery, graphic novels)