Survivance

Definition

Survivance is a concept that emphasizes the ongoing existence and resilience of Indigenous cultures, identities, and narratives despite historical trauma and colonial oppression. It highlights not just survival but also the active practice of cultural traditions and storytelling that affirm Indigenous presence in contemporary society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Survivance challenges the narrative of mere survival by focusing on the active resistance and revitalization of Indigenous cultures.
2. This concept emerged prominently during the Native American Renaissance, showcasing how poets and writers conveyed Indigenous experiences through their works.
3. Survivance encompasses not only literary expressions but also community practices that reinforce identity, history, and continuity.
4. It serves as a counter-narrative to colonial ideologies that often depict Indigenous peoples as vanishing or irrelevant in modern society.
5. Survivance is reflected in contemporary works that highlight themes of identity, memory, and activism in response to historical injustices.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of survivance reshape our understanding of Native American Renaissance poetry?
  • The concept of survivance reshapes our understanding of Native American Renaissance poetry by emphasizing that these works are not just about survival but also about thriving cultures that assert their identities. Poets during this period used their writing to challenge colonial narratives and express cultural resilience. The emphasis on survivance allows readers to appreciate the richness of Indigenous experiences and the ways poets engage with both history and contemporary issues.
• In what ways do narrative techniques in contemporary Native American literature reflect themes of survivance?
  • Narrative techniques in contemporary Native American literature often reflect themes of survivance by incorporating elements such as oral tradition, nonlinear storytelling, and interweaving personal and collective histories. These methods highlight the resilience of Indigenous cultures and allow authors to reclaim agency over their narratives. By utilizing these techniques, writers can effectively convey complex identities and histories while challenging dominant cultural perceptions.
• Critically analyze how literature serves as a tool for advocacy through the lens of survivance in Native American communities.
  • Literature serves as a powerful tool for advocacy through the lens of survivance by providing a platform for Indigenous voices to assert their rights, identities, and histories. It highlights ongoing struggles against colonial legacies while celebrating cultural vitality. By sharing stories that embody survivance, authors raise awareness about social justice issues faced by Native communities, galvanizing support for change. This critical engagement enables literature not just to document experiences but also to inspire action and foster solidarity in the fight for Indigenous sovereignty.

Related terms

Cultural Resilience: The ability of a culture to adapt and thrive despite external pressures and challenges, maintaining its core values and practices.

Colonialism: The historical practice of domination and control by one power over another territory or group, often leading to cultural erasure and systemic oppression.

Oral Tradition: A form of storytelling and knowledge transmission that relies on spoken word, vital for preserving Indigenous histories, values, and cultural practices.