📘Native American Narratives Unit 10 – Contemporary Native American Lit

Key Themes and Concepts

• Identity and belonging are central themes in Contemporary Native American Literature, exploring the complex relationships between individual, community, and cultural heritage
  • Many works delve into the challenges of navigating multiple identities (Native, American, tribal) in modern society
• Reclaiming and preserving traditional knowledge, stories, and practices is a key focus, often in the face of historical erasure and cultural assimilation
• Connection to land and the natural world is emphasized, highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of place for Native communities
• Resistance and resilience are prominent themes, showcasing the strength and perseverance of Native peoples in the face of historical trauma and ongoing challenges
• Intergenerational trauma and healing are explored, addressing the lasting impacts of colonization, forced assimilation, and systemic oppression
• Works often challenge dominant narratives and stereotypes about Native peoples, offering nuanced and diverse representations of contemporary Native experiences
• Political and social commentary is woven throughout, critiquing issues such as land rights, sovereignty, environmental justice, and cultural appropriation

Historical Context

• Contemporary Native American Literature emerged in the late 20th century, building on a long tradition of oral storytelling and written works by Native authors
• The Native American Renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s marked a significant period of literary and cultural resurgence, with increased visibility and recognition for Native writers
• The American Indian Movement (AIM) and other activist efforts of the era influenced the political and social consciousness of many Native writers
• Federal policies such as the Indian Termination Act (1953) and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (1975) had significant impacts on Native communities and shaped the context for contemporary Native literature
  • Termination policies aimed to assimilate Native peoples into mainstream society, while self-determination policies supported tribal sovereignty and self-governance
• The legacy of boarding schools and forced assimilation continues to influence contemporary Native writing, with many authors addressing the intergenerational trauma and cultural loss resulting from these experiences
• Treaties, land disputes, and the ongoing struggle for tribal sovereignty provide important historical and political context for understanding contemporary Native literature

Major Authors and Works

• N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa) is considered a foundational figure in Contemporary Native American Literature, known for works such as "House Made of Dawn" (1968) and "The Way to Rainy Mountain" (1969)
  • "House Made of Dawn" won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969, marking a significant milestone for Native literary recognition
• Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo) is renowned for her novels, short stories, and poetry, including "Ceremony" (1977) and "Storyteller" (1981)
• Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) is a prolific novelist, short story writer, and poet, known for works such as "Love Medicine" (1984) and "The Round House" (2012)
  • "The Round House" won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2012
• Sherman Alexie (Spokane-Coeur d'Alene) is celebrated for his novels, short stories, and poetry, including "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" (1993) and "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (2007)
• Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek) is a prominent poet, memoirist, and musician, serving as the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate from 2019-2022
• Tommy Orange (Cheyenne and Arapaho) gained critical acclaim for his debut novel "There There" (2018), which explores the urban Native experience
• Other notable authors include James Welch (Blackfeet), Linda Hogan (Chickasaw), and Natalie Diaz (Mojave)

Literary Techniques and Styles

• Contemporary Native American Literature often incorporates elements of traditional oral storytelling, such as non-linear narratives, repetition, and the use of mythic and folkloric elements
• Many works blend genres, combining fiction, poetry, memoir, and historical narrative to create innovative and hybrid forms
• Use of Native languages and dialects is common, asserting linguistic and cultural identity while also challenging the dominance of English
• Symbolism and imagery drawn from Native cultures and the natural world are prevalent, often serving to connect characters and themes to larger cultural and spiritual contexts
• Intertextuality and allusion are employed, referencing traditional stories, historical events, and other literary works to create layered and resonant meanings
• Experimental and postmodern techniques are used by some authors, subverting conventional narrative structures and expectations
  • For example, Silko's "Ceremony" interweaves prose, poetry, and Laguna stories to create a non-linear, cyclical narrative
• Humor, irony, and satire are often employed to critique and subvert stereotypes, historical narratives, and power structures
• Many works feature multiple narrators and perspectives, reflecting the diversity of Native experiences and the importance of community and collective storytelling

Cultural Significance

• Contemporary Native American Literature plays a vital role in preserving and revitalizing Native cultures, languages, and traditions
• Works often serve as a form of cultural continuity, passing down stories, knowledge, and values to younger generations
• Literature provides a platform for Native voices and perspectives, challenging dominant narratives and stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream society
• Many works contribute to the ongoing process of cultural healing and reclamation, addressing historical traumas and asserting Native identity and resilience
• Contemporary Native literature also fosters a sense of pride and belonging for Native readers, offering representations and stories that reflect their experiences and communities
• Non-Native readers gain opportunities to learn about Native cultures, histories, and contemporary realities through the lens of Native writers
• The success and visibility of Contemporary Native American Literature have contributed to greater recognition and respect for Native artistic and intellectual traditions
• Native writers have played a significant role in advocating for social, political, and environmental justice for Native communities through their work

Contemporary Issues and Representation

• Contemporary Native American Literature addresses a wide range of issues affecting Native communities today, including:
  • Land rights and environmental justice
  • Cultural appropriation and misrepresentation
  • Tribal sovereignty and self-determination
  • Urban Native experiences and identity
  • Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)
  • Health disparities and access to healthcare
  • Education and language revitalization
• Many works challenge the monolithic and stereotypical representations of Native peoples in popular culture, offering diverse and nuanced portrayals of contemporary Native life
• Native writers often grapple with the complexities of navigating multiple identities and cultural contexts, exploring themes of belonging, assimilation, and resistance
• Some authors critique the ongoing impacts of colonialism, racism, and systemic oppression on Native communities, while also highlighting the resilience and vitality of Native cultures
• Contemporary Native literature increasingly includes the voices and experiences of queer, two-spirit, and LGBTQ+ Native individuals, expanding representations of Native identity and sexuality
• The rise of social media and digital platforms has allowed for new forms of Native literary expression and activism, connecting writers and readers across geographic and cultural boundaries

Critical Reception and Analysis

• Contemporary Native American Literature has gained increasing critical attention and acclaim, with many works receiving major literary awards and recognition
• Native literary scholarship has grown significantly, with Native and non-Native scholars engaging in critical analysis and interpretation of contemporary Native works
• Postcolonial and decolonial frameworks are often applied to the study of Native literature, examining the ways in which works resist and subvert colonial narratives and power structures
• Feminist and queer theory have been used to analyze the intersectional identities and experiences represented in Native women's writing and LGBTQ+ Native literature
• Ecocritical approaches have been employed to explore the environmental themes and connections to land and nature in Native works
• Comparative studies have examined the relationships between Native American literature and other indigenous literary traditions around the world
• Some scholars have critiqued the mainstream publishing industry's role in shaping the reception and canonization of Native literature, calling for greater Native control over the production and dissemination of Native works
• Critical debates have arisen around issues of authenticity, cultural appropriation, and the role of non-Native readers and scholars in engaging with Native literature

Connections to Other Literary Movements

• Contemporary Native American Literature has ties to the broader Indigenous literary movement, which includes the works of indigenous writers from around the world
  • Common themes include decolonization, cultural revitalization, and resistance to settler colonialism
• Many Native writers have been influenced by and engage with other literary movements and genres, such as:
  • Modernism and postmodernism
  • Magical realism
  • Environmental and nature writing
  • Experimental and avant-garde poetry
• Some Native authors have collaborated with or been influenced by writers from other marginalized communities, such as African American and Latinx writers, exploring shared experiences of oppression and resistance
• Contemporary Native literature has also influenced and been in dialogue with other artistic and cultural movements, such as:
  • The Red Power movement and American Indian Movement (AIM)
  • The Idle No More movement in Canada
  • Indigenous language revitalization efforts
  • Native American visual arts and music
• Native writers have contributed to the growing field of Indigenous futurism, which imagines Native peoples and cultures in speculative and science fiction contexts
• The global indigenous rights movement has provided a broader context for Contemporary Native American Literature, connecting Native struggles and artistic expressions to those of indigenous peoples worldwide