🪶Native American Literature Unit 11 – Native American Lit & Film

Key Themes and Concepts

• Identity and cultural heritage play a central role in Native American literature (sense of belonging, connection to ancestral roots)
  • Works often explore the struggle to maintain traditional values and practices in the face of assimilation and cultural erosion
• Relationship with the land and nature holds deep spiritual and cultural significance
  • Literature frequently depicts the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment (sacred landscapes, natural cycles)
• Oral traditions and storytelling serve as a means of preserving history, knowledge, and cultural values across generations
  • Myths, legends, and folktales often incorporate elements of the supernatural and spiritual realms (trickster figures, creation stories)
• Resistance and resilience in the face of historical trauma, displacement, and oppression are recurring themes
  • Works address the impact of colonization, forced relocation, and cultural genocide on Native communities (Trail of Tears, boarding schools)
• Reclaiming and asserting Native identity in a contemporary context is a central focus
  • Literature explores the challenges of navigating between traditional and modern worlds (urban experiences, cultural hybridity)
• Healing and reconciliation are important themes, both on a personal and collective level
  • Works often depict the process of confronting and overcoming historical wounds and intergenerational trauma

Historical Context

• Pre-contact period encompasses the rich oral traditions and cultural practices of diverse Native nations prior to European colonization
  • Oral literature, including creation stories, myths, and legends, served as the primary means of transmitting knowledge and values
• Contact and early colonial period marked by the arrival of European explorers and settlers, leading to profound changes in Native societies
  • Introduction of new diseases, technologies, and religious beliefs had devastating impacts on Native populations (smallpox epidemics, missionary efforts)
• Treaties and forced relocation characterized the 18th and 19th centuries, as Native nations were displaced from their ancestral lands
  • Broken promises and land cessions resulted in the loss of traditional territories and ways of life (Indian Removal Act, reservation system)
• Assimilation policies and boarding schools aimed to eradicate Native cultures and languages in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
  • Children were forcibly removed from their families and communities to attend government-run schools (Carlisle Indian Industrial School)
• Native American Renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s saw a resurgence of Native voices in literature and activism
  • Influenced by the civil rights movement and Red Power movement, writers asserted their cultural identities and challenged dominant narratives
• Contemporary period marked by a growing recognition of Native sovereignty and cultural revitalization efforts
  • Native authors continue to explore the complexities of identity, history, and contemporary issues facing their communities

Notable Authors and Works

• N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa) is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in the Native American Renaissance
  • His novel "House Made of Dawn" (1968) won the Pulitzer Prize and explores themes of cultural identity and spiritual connection to the land
• Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo) is known for her innovative blending of traditional storytelling and contemporary narrative techniques
  • Her novel "Ceremony" (1977) addresses the impact of war and cultural dislocation on a young Native veteran
• Louise Erdrich (Chippewa) is a prolific novelist, poet, and short story writer
  • Her works, such as "Love Medicine" (1984) and "The Round House" (2012), often explore the intergenerational experiences of Native families and communities
• Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene) is a prominent voice in contemporary Native American literature
  • His short story collection "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993) and semi-autobiographical novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (2007) address issues of identity, poverty, and cultural conflict with humor and poignancy
• Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek) is a renowned poet, musician, and playwright
  • Her poetry collections, such as "She Had Some Horses" (1983) and "In Mad Love and War" (1990), celebrate the strength and resilience of Native women and the power of ancestral connections
• Tommy Orange (Cheyenne/Arapaho) gained critical acclaim for his debut novel "There There" (2018)
  • The book follows the interconnected stories of urban Native characters as they navigate issues of identity, belonging, and historical trauma

Film Adaptations and Representations

• "Smoke Signals" (1998), directed by Chris Eyre and written by Sherman Alexie, was a groundbreaking independent film
  • Adapted from Alexie's short story collection, the film explores themes of friendship, family, and cultural identity on the Coeur d'Alene reservation
• "Powwow Highway" (1989), directed by Jonathan Wacks, is a road movie that follows two Cheyenne men on a journey of self-discovery
  • The film addresses issues of cultural identity, spirituality, and the challenges faced by Native communities
• "Dances with Wolves" (1990), directed by Kevin Costner, was a commercially successful Hollywood film that depicted Native American cultures
  • While praised for its sympathetic portrayal of the Lakota people, the film has also been criticized for perpetuating the "noble savage" stereotype
• "Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner" (2001), directed by Zacharias Kunuk, is an Inuit-language film based on an Inuit legend
  • The film provides an authentic representation of Inuit culture and storytelling traditions
• "Skins" (2002), directed by Chris Eyre, explores the impact of poverty, alcoholism, and historical trauma on a Lakota community
  • The film addresses the complex realities faced by contemporary Native communities
• Representation of Native Americans in mainstream media has often been characterized by stereotypes and cultural appropriation
  • Recent efforts by Native filmmakers and actors aim to challenge these misrepresentations and reclaim control over their own narratives

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Oral storytelling traditions heavily influence the structure and style of Native American literature
  • Works often incorporate elements of repetition, rhythm, and circular narrative patterns (use of refrains, cyclical time)
• Nonlinear narratives and fragmented storytelling are common techniques used to reflect the complex, interconnected nature of Native experiences
  • Authors may weave together multiple storylines, time periods, and perspectives to create a holistic narrative (flashbacks, shifting points of view)
• Use of Native languages and untranslated words serves to assert cultural identity and resist linguistic assimilation
  • Incorporation of Native language phrases and concepts adds depth and authenticity to the works
• Symbolism and metaphor are frequently employed to convey spiritual and cultural meanings
  • Natural elements, animals, and sacred objects often hold symbolic significance (four directions, medicine wheel)
• Humor and irony are used as tools for social commentary and cultural critique
  • Authors may employ satire and wit to address serious issues and challenge dominant narratives
• Intertextuality and allusion to traditional stories, myths, and historical events create a rich tapestry of cultural references
  • Works often engage in dialogue with ancestral knowledge and cultural memory

Cultural Significance and Impact

• Native American literature serves as a vital means of cultural preservation and transmission
  • Works document and celebrate the histories, languages, and traditions of diverse Native nations
• Literature plays a crucial role in asserting Native identity and sovereignty in the face of ongoing colonial legacies
  • Authors use their voices to challenge stereotypes, reclaim narratives, and assert the contemporary relevance of Native experiences
• Works contribute to the process of healing and reconciliation by addressing historical traumas and their intergenerational impacts
  • Literature provides a space for Native communities to confront and work through collective wounds
• Native American literature has influenced and inspired broader social and political movements
  • Works have contributed to the recognition of Native rights, environmental justice, and cultural revitalization efforts
• Inclusion of Native American literature in educational curricula promotes cross-cultural understanding and challenges dominant historical narratives
  • Exposure to diverse Native voices and perspectives fosters empathy and critical thinking skills
• Native American literature has gained increasing recognition and acclaim in the mainstream literary world
  • Authors have won prestigious awards (Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award) and garnered international readership

Contemporary Native American Voices

• Native American literature continues to thrive and evolve in the 21st century
  • New generations of writers are exploring innovative forms and themes while building upon the foundations laid by earlier authors
• Urban Native experiences and identities are increasingly represented in contemporary works
  • Authors such as Tommy Orange and Terese Marie Mailhot depict the complexities of Native life in cities and the challenges of maintaining cultural connections
• Indigenous futurisms and speculative fiction emerge as a means of imagining alternative realities and asserting Native presence in the future
  • Works by authors like Rebecca Roanhorse and Daniel H. Wilson blend traditional storytelling with science fiction and fantasy elements
• Intersectionality and the experiences of Native LGBTQ+ individuals gain greater visibility in contemporary literature
  • Authors like Billy-Ray Belcourt and Joshua Whitehead explore the intersections of Native identity, gender, and sexuality
• Environmental justice and climate change are pressing concerns addressed by contemporary Native writers
  • Works by authors such as Winona LaDuke and Deborah A. Miranda highlight the ongoing struggles to protect Native lands and resources
• Native American poetry continues to flourish as a powerful medium for cultural expression and resistance
  • Poets like Natalie Diaz and Layli Long Soldier use language to interrogate history, identity, and the ongoing impacts of colonialism

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Native American literary criticism has evolved to prioritize Indigenous perspectives and methodologies
  • Scholars like Paula Gunn Allen and Gerald Vizenor have developed theoretical frameworks rooted in Native worldviews and epistemologies
• Decolonial approaches to literary analysis challenge Western canonical standards and interpretive lenses
  • Critics examine works through the lens of Native cultural contexts, oral traditions, and tribal-specific knowledge systems
• Feminist and queer theory intersect with Native American literary studies to explore gender roles, sexuality, and the impact of patriarchal colonial structures
  • Scholars analyze the works of Native women writers and LGBTQ+ authors, highlighting their contributions to decolonial and liberatory discourse
• Ecocritical perspectives illuminate the centrality of land, environment, and non-human beings in Native American literature
  • Critics examine the ways in which works depict ecological knowledge, environmental stewardship, and the impacts of colonial exploitation
• Comparative and transnational approaches situate Native American literature within a global context of Indigenous struggles and resistance
  • Scholars explore the connections and solidarities between Native American authors and other Indigenous writers worldwide
• Interdisciplinary methods, such as incorporating historical, anthropological, and linguistic research, enrich the understanding of Native American literary works
  • Critics draw upon a range of disciplinary tools to contextualize and interpret works within their cultural, historical, and political contexts