🪶Native American Literature Unit 15 – Native American Lit: Social Justice Themes

Historical Context

• Native American literature has a rich history spanning thousands of years, encompassing oral traditions, songs, and stories passed down through generations
• European colonization and westward expansion had devastating impacts on Native American communities, including forced relocation (Trail of Tears), loss of land, and cultural suppression
• Boarding schools were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to assimilate Native American children into Euro-American culture, often through forced separation from their families and communities
• The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 aimed to restore some tribal sovereignty and encourage cultural preservation, marking a shift in U.S. policy towards Native Americans
• The Native American Renaissance, which began in the late 1960s, saw a resurgence of Native American literature, art, and activism, coinciding with the broader Civil Rights Movement
• Key events like the occupation of Alcatraz Island (1969-1971) and the Wounded Knee Incident (1973) brought attention to ongoing struggles for Native American rights and sovereignty

Key Authors and Works

• N. Scott Momaday, a Kiowa author, won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel "House Made of Dawn" (1968), which is considered a seminal work of the Native American Renaissance
• Leslie Marmon Silko, a Laguna Pueblo writer, is known for her novels "Ceremony" (1977) and "Almanac of the Dead" (1991), which explore themes of cultural identity, trauma, and resistance
  • "Ceremony" follows a World War II veteran's journey to heal from the trauma of war and reconnect with his Laguna Pueblo heritage
• Louise Erdrich, an Ojibwe author, has written numerous novels, including "Love Medicine" (1984) and "The Round House" (2012), which depict the complexities of Native American life and identity
• Sherman Alexie, a Spokane-Coeur d'Alene writer, is known for his short story collections, such as "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993), and his semi-autobiographical novel "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (2007)
• Joy Harjo, a Muscogee Creek poet, was appointed as the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate in 2019, and her collections, such as "In Mad Love and War" (1990) and "An American Sunrise" (2019), explore themes of identity, history, and spirituality
• Tommy Orange, a Cheyenne and Arapaho author, gained critical acclaim for his debut novel "There There" (2018), which follows the interconnected stories of Urban Indians in Oakland, California

Recurring Themes

• Identity and belonging are central themes in Native American literature, as characters often navigate the complexities of being Indigenous in a society shaped by colonialism and cultural erasure
• The importance of land and the natural world is emphasized, as many works explore the deep connections between Native American communities and their ancestral lands
• Trauma and healing are recurring themes, as characters grapple with the intergenerational impacts of colonization, forced assimilation, and ongoing discrimination
  • This includes the trauma of boarding schools, which aimed to erase Native American cultural identities and languages
• Resistance and resilience are highlighted, as characters and communities fight to preserve their cultures, languages, and ways of life in the face of oppression and marginalization
• The clash between traditional and modern ways of life is explored, as characters navigate the challenges of maintaining cultural traditions while adapting to contemporary society
• The importance of community and kinship is emphasized, as many works depict the strength and support found within Native American families and tribal networks

Storytelling Techniques

• Oral traditions heavily influence Native American literature, with many works incorporating elements of traditional storytelling, such as repetition, symbolism, and circular narrative structures
• Non-linear narratives are common, as stories often move back and forth through time, reflecting the interconnectedness of past, present, and future in Native American worldviews
• Multiple perspectives are frequently employed, with stories told from the viewpoints of different characters, highlighting the diversity of experiences within Native American communities
• The use of Native American languages and phrases is a powerful tool for asserting cultural identity and resisting assimilation, as authors incorporate Indigenous languages into their works
• Symbolism and imagery drawn from nature and traditional beliefs are prevalent, serving to connect characters and themes to Native American cultural and spiritual traditions
  • For example, the use of the four directions, sacred animals, and natural elements like water and fire
• Humor and irony are often used to critique and subvert stereotypes and dominant narratives about Native American people and cultures

Cultural Representation

• Native American literature challenges stereotypes and misrepresentations perpetuated by mainstream media and popular culture, offering authentic and nuanced portrayals of Indigenous experiences
• The diversity of Native American cultures is highlighted, as works explore the distinct histories, languages, and traditions of various tribes and communities
• The impact of colonization and assimilation policies on Native American cultures is a central focus, as works depict the ongoing struggles to maintain cultural identities in the face of oppression
• The importance of cultural preservation is emphasized, as characters and communities work to keep their languages, traditions, and ways of life alive for future generations
• The role of women in Native American cultures is explored, with many works featuring strong female characters who challenge gender roles and assert their agency
• The intersection of Native American identities with other aspects of identity, such as gender, sexuality, and class, is examined, highlighting the complexity and diversity of Indigenous experiences

Social Justice Issues

• Land rights and sovereignty are central issues in Native American literature, as works explore the ongoing struggles of Indigenous communities to protect their ancestral lands and assert their right to self-determination
• Environmental justice is a key concern, as Native American communities are disproportionately affected by issues such as resource extraction, pollution, and climate change
• The impact of poverty and economic marginalization on Native American communities is addressed, with works depicting the challenges of accessing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities
• The ongoing effects of historical trauma, such as the boarding school era and forced relocation, are explored, as characters grapple with the intergenerational consequences of these experiences
• The fight for cultural preservation and revitalization is highlighted, as communities work to maintain their languages, traditions, and ways of life in the face of ongoing assimilation pressures
• The need for greater representation and inclusion of Native American voices in mainstream society is emphasized, as authors and characters challenge the marginalization and erasure of Indigenous perspectives

Literary Analysis

• Native American literature is analyzed through various critical lenses, including postcolonial theory, which examines the impacts of colonialism on Indigenous cultures and the ways in which literature resists and subverts colonial narratives
• Ecocriticism is another important lens, as it explores the relationships between literature, the environment, and the ways in which Native American works depict the interconnectedness of human and non-human worlds
• Feminist and gender studies approaches are used to analyze the representation of women and gender roles in Native American literature, highlighting the ways in which works challenge patriarchal structures and assert female agency
• The use of trickster figures and other traditional storytelling elements is examined, as these devices serve to challenge dominant narratives and assert Native American cultural identities
• The role of language and translation in Native American literature is analyzed, as the incorporation of Indigenous languages and the challenges of translating across cultural and linguistic boundaries are explored
• Comparative approaches are used to situate Native American literature within the broader contexts of American and world literature, highlighting the unique contributions and perspectives of Indigenous writers

Contemporary Relevance

• Native American literature continues to be a vital force in contemporary society, as authors explore the ongoing challenges and triumphs of Indigenous communities in the 21st century
• The rise of social media and digital platforms has allowed for greater visibility and reach of Native American voices, as authors and activists use these tools to raise awareness about ongoing social justice issues
• The #NoDAPL movement, which opposed the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline through Standing Rock Sioux land, highlighted the ongoing struggles for land rights and environmental justice, and inspired a new generation of Native American activists and writers
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Native American communities has been a recent focus, as the crisis has exacerbated existing inequalities and highlighted the need for greater support and resources for Indigenous populations
• The growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day as an alternative to Columbus Day reflects a shift in public consciousness and a greater acknowledgment of the histories and ongoing presence of Native American communities
• Contemporary Native American writers continue to push the boundaries of the literary landscape, experimenting with new forms and genres while staying grounded in the rich traditions of Indigenous storytelling