7.3 Cultural pride and reclamation

Native American cultural pride and reclamation are central to preserving identity in the face of historical trauma. Communities are reviving languages, traditions, and storytelling to reconnect with ancestral knowledge and assert sovereignty. This movement counters the effects of colonization and forced assimilation.

Contemporary Native American literature and activism celebrate cultural heritage while challenging stereotypes. Writers and artists use their work to express complex identities, critique misconceptions, and advocate for justice. This cultural resurgence influences mainstream society, highlighting Native American resilience and ongoing presence.

Importance of cultural identity

• Cultural identity encompasses the shared values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that define a group of people and provide a sense of belonging and community
• For Native American communities, cultural identity is deeply tied to their ancestral lands, languages, and spiritual practices, which have been passed down through generations
• Maintaining a strong cultural identity helps Native American individuals and communities preserve their unique histories, worldviews, and ways of life in the face of ongoing challenges and pressures to assimilate

Impact of colonization and assimilation

• The arrival of European colonizers and the subsequent establishment of the United States government led to widespread efforts to suppress and eradicate Native American cultures through forced assimilation policies and practices
• These policies aimed to strip Native Americans of their cultural identities and integrate them into mainstream American society, often through coercive and violent means
• The impact of colonization and assimilation has had lasting and devastating consequences for Native American communities, including the loss of land, language, and cultural traditions, as well as ongoing struggles with poverty, discrimination, and health disparities

Loss of language and traditions

Top images from around the web for Loss of language and traditions

• 

  First People of North America | American History and Civics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous languages of the Americas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Languages of the United States - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  First People of North America | American History and Civics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous languages of the Americas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Loss of language and traditions

• 

  First People of North America | American History and Civics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous languages of the Americas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Languages of the United States - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  First People of North America | American History and Civics View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Indigenous languages of the Americas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Many Native American languages have been lost or are at risk of extinction due to the effects of colonization and assimilation, which discouraged or prohibited their use (Cherokee, Navajo)
• The loss of language also means the loss of cultural knowledge, stories, and ways of understanding the world that are embedded in the language itself
• Traditional practices, such as religious ceremonies, arts and crafts, and subsistence activities, have also been suppressed or lost as a result of forced assimilation and the disruption of community life

Forced relocation and boarding schools

• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and other government policies led to the forced relocation of many Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to reservations, often in distant and unfamiliar territories (Trail of Tears)
• Government-run boarding schools were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to "civilize" Native American children by removing them from their families and communities and forcing them to adopt Western customs and beliefs
• These schools were often sites of abuse, neglect, and cultural erasure, as children were punished for speaking their native languages or practicing their traditional customs, leading to long-term trauma and loss of cultural identity

Reclaiming cultural heritage

• In recent decades, there has been a growing movement among Native American communities to reclaim and revitalize their cultural heritage as a means of healing, empowerment, and resistance
• This process involves reconnecting with ancestral knowledge, traditions, and values, and finding ways to integrate them into contemporary life and identity
• Reclaiming cultural heritage is seen as a vital part of asserting Native American sovereignty, self-determination, and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges and inequities

Revival of traditional practices

• Many Native American communities are working to revive and sustain traditional practices, such as language, art, music, and spirituality, as a way of strengthening cultural identity and passing on knowledge to future generations
• This includes efforts to teach traditional skills and crafts (basket weaving, beadwork), hold cultural events and ceremonies (powwows, sweat lodges), and promote the use of traditional foods and medicines
• The revival of traditional practices is also seen as a way of healing from the trauma of colonization and assimilation, and asserting the enduring strength and resilience of Native American cultures

Language preservation efforts

• Language preservation and revitalization efforts are a key part of reclaiming cultural heritage for many Native American communities, as language is seen as a vital carrier of cultural knowledge, identity, and worldview
• These efforts include:
  1. Developing language immersion programs and schools to teach Native American languages to younger generations
  2. Creating language resources such as dictionaries, grammars, and teaching materials
  3. Using technology to document and share language knowledge, such as online courses and apps
• Successful language preservation efforts have led to a resurgence of fluency and pride in Native American languages, and a greater appreciation for the importance of linguistic diversity

Role of storytelling in cultural transmission

• Storytelling has long been a central part of Native American cultural traditions, serving as a means of transmitting knowledge, values, and history across generations
• Stories often convey important lessons, moral teachings, and cultural beliefs, as well as entertaining and engaging audiences
• In many Native American cultures, storytelling is seen as a sacred and powerful act, with designated storytellers holding a special role and responsibility within the community

Oral traditions vs written narratives

• Traditionally, Native American storytelling has been an oral tradition, with stories passed down through generations by word of mouth and memorization
• Oral storytelling allows for a dynamic and interactive relationship between the storyteller and the audience, with the story adapting to the context and needs of the moment
• With the introduction of written language and the increasing influence of Western literary traditions, some Native American stories have been recorded and published in written form
• While written narratives can help preserve and disseminate Native American stories to a wider audience, they may lose some of the fluidity and immediacy of oral storytelling, and raise questions of cultural appropriation and authenticity

Themes of resilience and survival

• Many Native American stories deal with themes of resilience and survival in the face of adversity, reflecting the historical and ongoing struggles of Native American communities
• These stories often feature heroes and tricksters who use their wit, strength, and spiritual powers to overcome challenges and protect their people (Coyote, Spider Woman)
• Stories of resilience and survival serve to inspire and empower Native American audiences, reminding them of their own strength and the enduring nature of their cultures
• These themes also challenge dominant narratives of Native American victimhood and extinction, asserting the ongoing presence and vitality of Native American peoples and cultures

Contemporary Native American literature

• In the 20th and 21st centuries, Native American writers have increasingly turned to literature as a means of exploring and expressing their cultural identities, experiences, and perspectives
• Contemporary Native American literature encompasses a wide range of genres and styles, including fiction, poetry, memoir, and essays, and often blends traditional storytelling techniques with modern literary forms
• Native American writers use their work to celebrate cultural pride, challenge stereotypes and misconceptions, and assert the diversity and complexity of Native American experiences

Celebrating cultural pride

• Many contemporary Native American writers use their work to celebrate and affirm their cultural identities and traditions, often drawing on ancestral knowledge, languages, and worldviews
• This can include incorporating traditional stories, myths, and symbols into their writing, as well as exploring the beauty and significance of Native American cultures and ways of life
• By celebrating cultural pride, Native American writers help to counter the legacy of cultural erasure and assimilation, and inspire a sense of belonging and empowerment among Native American readers

Challenging stereotypes and misconceptions

• Native American writers also use their work to challenge and subvert the many stereotypes and misconceptions that have long surrounded Native American peoples and cultures in mainstream American society
• This can include:
  1. Critiquing the "noble savage" and "vanishing Indian" tropes that romanticize and dehumanize Native Americans
  2. Exploring the diversity and complexity of Native American identities and experiences, beyond simplistic and homogenizing labels
  3. Exposing the ongoing impact of colonization, racism, and inequality on Native American communities
• By challenging stereotypes and misconceptions, Native American writers help to create a more accurate and nuanced understanding of Native American realities, and advocate for greater respect and justice for Native American peoples

Intersection of culture and activism

• For many Native American communities, cultural identity and political activism are deeply intertwined, as the struggle for cultural preservation and revitalization is seen as inseparable from the fight for sovereignty, self-determination, and social justice
• Native American activists and organizations often draw on cultural traditions, values, and knowledge to inform and inspire their work, and use cultural expression as a form of resistance and empowerment
• The intersection of culture and activism highlights the ongoing relevance and urgency of Native American struggles, and the vital role that culture plays in shaping Native American identities, communities, and futures

Sovereignty and self-determination

• Sovereignty and self-determination are key principles of Native American activism, asserting the inherent right of Native American nations to govern themselves and control their own affairs
• This includes the right to maintain and practice cultural traditions, manage natural resources, and provide for the well-being of their communities without interference or domination by outside forces
• Efforts to protect and exercise sovereignty and self-determination often involve legal and political struggles, such as treaty rights, land claims, and recognition of tribal status, as well as cultural and educational initiatives to strengthen Native American identities and institutions

Environmental justice and land rights

• Many Native American activists and organizations are also engaged in struggles for environmental justice and land rights, recognizing the deep cultural and spiritual significance of land and natural resources for Native American communities
• This can include:
  1. Protecting sacred sites and cultural landscapes from development or desecration
  2. Advocating for the cleanup of environmental contamination and the restoration of ecosystems
  3. Asserting treaty rights and traditional land uses, such as hunting, fishing, and gathering
• The fight for environmental justice and land rights is often framed as a matter of cultural survival and continuity, as well as a broader struggle for social and ecological sustainability

Influence on mainstream American culture

• Despite a long history of marginalization and misrepresentation, Native American cultures have had a significant and enduring influence on mainstream American culture, shaping everything from art and music to fashion and politics
• This influence is often underrecognized or appropriated, but it reflects the resilience and creativity of Native American peoples in the face of adversity, as well as the deep cultural exchange and hybridization that has occurred between Native American and non-Native communities
• Recognizing and celebrating the influence of Native American cultures on mainstream American culture can help to challenge dominant narratives of Native American erasure and inferiority, and promote greater understanding and respect for Native American contributions and perspectives

Contributions to art, music, and fashion

• Native American art, music, and fashion have long been admired and imitated by non-Native audiences, often without proper attribution or compensation to Native American creators
• Native American art forms, such as pottery, weaving, and beadwork, have influenced modern and contemporary art movements, while Native American music has shaped genres like blues, jazz, and rock (Navajo rugs, Pueblo pottery)
• Native American fashion, including traditional clothing, accessories, and designs, has been appropriated and commodified by mainstream fashion brands, often in ways that are disrespectful or exploitative
• Efforts to recognize and support Native American artists, musicians, and designers can help to promote cultural pride and economic empowerment, while challenging the ongoing legacy of cultural appropriation and theft

Native American representation in media

• Native American representation in mainstream media, including film, television, and literature, has long been marked by stereotypes, erasure, and misrepresentation
• However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to increase the visibility and authenticity of Native American stories and voices in media, often led by Native American creators themselves
• This includes:
  1. The emergence of Native American-led production companies and media outlets
  2. The success of Native American-themed films and television shows (Smoke Signals, Reservation Dogs)
  3. The publication of Native American literature by major presses and the recognition of Native American writers with major awards
• Improving Native American representation in media can help to challenge negative stereotypes, promote cultural understanding and empathy, and create new opportunities for Native American talent and creativity to flourish