🪶Native American Literature Unit 14 – Native American Lit: Colonialism & Resistance

Key Themes and Concepts

• Colonialism involves the subjugation and exploitation of indigenous peoples and their lands by a dominant group or nation
• Resistance encompasses the various ways Native Americans have fought against colonial oppression, both physically and culturally
• Identity is a central theme in Native American literature, often exploring the impact of colonialism on individual and collective identities
• Land and nature play significant roles in Native American worldviews and are often depicted as integral to cultural survival
  • Many works emphasize the sacred relationship between indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands
• Cultural preservation is a key concern in Native American literature, with authors seeking to maintain and revitalize traditional practices, languages, and beliefs
• Assimilation and acculturation are addressed in many works, highlighting the pressures faced by Native Americans to conform to colonial society
• Trauma and healing are recurring themes, as authors grapple with the lasting effects of colonial violence and seek paths to individual and communal recovery

Historical Context

• European colonization of the Americas began in the late 15th century, leading to widespread displacement, disease, and violence against indigenous populations
• The Doctrine of Discovery, issued by Pope Alexander VI in 1493, provided a legal and moral justification for European conquest and colonization
• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, resulting in the Trail of Tears and other traumatic events
• Boarding schools, established in the late 19th century, aimed to assimilate Native American children into colonial society by separating them from their families and cultures
  • These schools often employed abusive practices and sought to eradicate indigenous languages and traditions
• The Dawes Act of 1887 divided tribal lands into individual allotments, undermining traditional communal land ownership and facilitating further land loss
• The American Indian Movement (AIM), founded in 1968, advocated for Native American rights and played a key role in the resistance against ongoing colonial oppression
• The Native American Renaissance, which began in the late 1960s, saw a resurgence of indigenous literature and a renewed focus on cultural identity and political activism

Major Literary Works

• "House Made of Dawn" (1968) by N. Scott Momaday, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that explores the struggles of a young Pueblo man caught between traditional and modern worlds
• "Ceremony" (1977) by Leslie Marmon Silko, a novel that follows a traumatized Laguna Pueblo veteran's journey of healing through reconnection with his cultural traditions
• "Love Medicine" (1984) by Louise Erdrich, a collection of interconnected stories that depict the lives and relationships of several Ojibwe families across generations
• "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993) by Sherman Alexie, a short story collection that portrays the challenges and resilience of contemporary Native American life
• "Tracks" (1988) by Louise Erdrich, a novel that chronicles the struggles of an Ojibwe community in the early 20th century as they face land loss, disease, and cultural erosion
• "The Way to Rainy Mountain" (1969) by N. Scott Momaday, a blend of history, folklore, and personal memoir that explores Kiowa identity and the importance of storytelling
• "The Round House" (2012) by Louise Erdrich, a novel that addresses issues of sexual violence, jurisdiction, and justice on a Native American reservation

Indigenous Perspectives

• Native American literature offers a counternarrative to dominant colonial histories, centering indigenous experiences, knowledge systems, and worldviews
• Oral traditions, including stories, songs, and prayers, are integral to Native American cultures and often inform the structure and content of written works
  • These traditions serve to transmit cultural values, histories, and identities across generations
• Indigenous languages play a crucial role in preserving and expressing Native American perspectives, with many authors incorporating native languages into their works
• Native American literature often challenges Western notions of individualism, emphasizing the importance of community, kinship, and interdependence
• Indigenous perspectives on land and environment differ from colonial views, recognizing the sacred and reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world
• Native American authors frequently critique the ongoing impact of colonialism, including issues of land rights, cultural appropriation, and political marginalization
• Indigenous feminism is a growing field within Native American literature, addressing the intersections of gender, race, and colonialism in the lives of Native women

Colonial Impact on Native Literature

• Colonialism disrupted traditional Native American storytelling practices, as many oral traditions were lost or suppressed due to forced assimilation and cultural erosion
• The imposition of Western literary forms and the English language created both challenges and opportunities for Native American writers
  • Some authors adapted these forms to express indigenous perspectives, while others sought to subvert or resist colonial influence
• Colonial education, particularly through boarding schools, aimed to erase Native American cultural identities and replace them with Western values and beliefs
• The suppression of indigenous languages made it difficult for many Native Americans to access and maintain their cultural heritage through literature
• Colonial stereotypes and misrepresentations of Native Americans in popular culture have influenced public perceptions and created additional barriers for indigenous writers
• The commodification of Native American culture by the colonial society has led to issues of cultural appropriation and the misuse of indigenous stories and symbols
• Despite these challenges, Native American authors have used literature as a means of cultural survival, resistance, and self-determination in the face of ongoing colonial oppression

Resistance in Writing

• Native American literature serves as a form of resistance against colonial oppression, asserting indigenous identities, cultures, and political struggles
• Many works challenge dominant narratives of American history, exposing the violence and injustice of colonialism and centering Native American experiences
• Indigenous languages are often incorporated into Native American literature as an act of resistance, preserving and revitalizing linguistic heritage in the face of colonial suppression
• Native American authors frequently critique and subvert colonial stereotypes, presenting complex and diverse representations of indigenous peoples and cultures
• Storytelling itself is an act of resistance, as it maintains and transmits cultural knowledge, values, and identities in the face of colonial efforts to erase them
• Native American literature often advocates for land rights and environmental justice, resisting the ongoing exploitation and destruction of indigenous lands by colonial forces
• Many works explore themes of cultural continuity and revival, emphasizing the resilience and adaptability of Native American communities in the face of colonial challenges
• Contemporary Native American authors continue to use writing as a means of activism, raising awareness about ongoing political struggles and advocating for indigenous rights

Storytelling Techniques

• Native American literature often incorporates oral storytelling techniques, such as repetition, formulaic phrases, and participatory elements, to engage readers and evoke traditional storytelling contexts
• Non-linear narratives are common in Native American literature, reflecting indigenous understandings of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future
• Symbolism and metaphor are widely used to convey cultural meanings, spiritual beliefs, and political messages
  • Natural elements, such as animals, plants, and landscapes, often serve as powerful symbols in Native American storytelling
• Many works employ a circular or cyclical structure, mirroring indigenous worldviews and emphasizing the continuity of cultural traditions and identities
• Multiple perspectives and voices are often included in Native American literature, reflecting the diversity of indigenous experiences and the importance of community in storytelling
• Silence and space are used strategically in Native American storytelling, allowing readers to reflect on the stories and draw their own interpretations
• Humor and irony are employed by many Native American authors to subvert colonial stereotypes, critique social issues, and assert cultural resilience in the face of adversity

Contemporary Relevance

• Native American literature continues to be a vital force in contemporary society, addressing ongoing issues of colonialism, cultural identity, and political struggle
• Many contemporary works explore the challenges faced by Native Americans in urban settings, including issues of poverty, discrimination, and cultural dislocation
• Native American authors are increasingly using digital platforms and social media to share their stories, connect with audiences, and advocate for indigenous rights
• The rise of indigenous futurism in Native American literature imagines alternative futures and possibilities for indigenous peoples, challenging colonial narratives of extinction and assimilation
• Contemporary Native American literature is engaging with global indigenous movements, fostering solidarity and shared resistance against colonial oppression worldwide
• The ongoing fight for land rights and environmental justice remains a central concern in contemporary Native American writing, as indigenous communities continue to face threats to their ancestral lands and resources
• Native American literature is increasingly being recognized and celebrated in mainstream literary circles, with authors receiving major awards and critical acclaim
  • However, issues of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation persist, highlighting the ongoing need for indigenous voices and perspectives in the literary world
• Contemporary Native American literature continues to serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, resistance, and self-determination, ensuring that indigenous stories and identities endure and thrive in the face of ongoing colonial challenges