Introduction to Introduction to Native American Native American

LiteratureLiterature

BackgroundBackground It is thought that the first Native It is thought that the first Native

Americans arrived in what is now the Americans arrived in what is now the US approximately 20-30,000 years US approximately 20-30,000 years ago. ago.

It is believed that they came by a It is believed that they came by a land-bridge across the Bering Sound, land-bridge across the Bering Sound, from Siberia into Alaska.from Siberia into Alaska.

Map of Native American Map of Native American TribesTribes

From this poem, what can you From this poem, what can you tell about Native American tell about Native American

values and spirituality?values and spirituality?A Sioux PrayerA Sioux PrayerTranslated by Chief Yellow Lark - 1887Translated by Chief Yellow Lark - 1887Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the windsOh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds

Whose breath gives life to the world, hear meWhose breath gives life to the world, hear meI come to you as one of your many childrenI come to you as one of your many childrenI am small and weakI am small and weakI need your strength and wisdomI need your strength and wisdom

May I walk in beautyMay I walk in beautyMake my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.Make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.Make my hands respect the things you have madeMake my hands respect the things you have madeAnd my ears sharp to your voice.And my ears sharp to your voice.Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your Make me wise so that I may know the things you have taught your children.children.

The lessons you have written in every leaf and rockThe lessons you have written in every leaf and rockMake me strong--------!Make me strong--------!Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest Not to be superior to my brothers, but to fight my greatest enemy....myselfenemy....myself

Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,So that when life fades as the fading sunset,So that when life fades as the fading sunset,May my spirit come to you without shame.May my spirit come to you without shame.

From this poem, what can you From this poem, what can you tell about Native American tell about Native American

culture?culture?Native CommandmentsNative CommandmentsJasper Saunkeah, CherokeeJasper Saunkeah, CherokeeTreat the Earth and all that dwell thereon Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon

with respect.with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit.Remain close to the Great Spirit.Show great respect for your fellow Show great respect for your fellow beings.beings.Work together for the benefit of all Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.Mankind.Give assistance and kindness Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.wherever needed.

Do what you know to be right.Do what you know to be right.Look after the well being of mind and Look after the well being of mind and body.body.Dedicate a share of your efforts to the Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.greater good.Be truthful and honest at all times.Be truthful and honest at all times.Take full responsibility for your Take full responsibility for your actions.actions.Let us greet the dawn of a new dayLet us greet the dawn of a new daywhen all can live as one with naturewhen all can live as one with natureand peace reigns everywhere.and peace reigns everywhere.

Oh Great Spirit, bring to our brothersOh Great Spirit, bring to our brothersthe wisdom of Nature and the the wisdom of Nature and the knowledgeknowledgethat if her laws are obeyedthat if her laws are obeyedthis land will again flourishthis land will again flourishand grasses and trees will grow as and grasses and trees will grow as before.before.

Guide those that through their councilsGuide those that through their councilsseek to spread the wisdom of their seek to spread the wisdom of their leaders to all people.leaders to all people.Heal the raw wounds of the earthHeal the raw wounds of the earthand restore to our soul the richnessand restore to our soul the richnesswhich strengthens men's bodieswhich strengthens men's bodiesand makes them wise in their councils.and makes them wise in their councils.

Bring to all the knowledge that great citiesBring to all the knowledge that great citieslive only through the bountylive only through the bountyof the good earth beyond their paved of the good earth beyond their paved streetsstreetsand towers of stone and steel.and towers of stone and steel.

BackgroundBackground Although most Native Americans did not come Although most Native Americans did not come

from India, the name “Indian” was given to from India, the name “Indian” was given to them by Christopher Columbus who mistook them by Christopher Columbus who mistook North America for islands in the Indies.North America for islands in the Indies.

When Europeans arrived in North America When Europeans arrived in North America (16(16thth – 17 – 17thth Century), there were approximately Century), there were approximately ten million Native Americans living here.ten million Native Americans living here.

BackgroundBackground The Europeans started to push Native The Europeans started to push Native

Americans off the land and take “ownership” Americans off the land and take “ownership” of the land for the rich resources.of the land for the rich resources.

Many wars were started in which the Native Many wars were started in which the Native Americans were disadvantaged because of Americans were disadvantaged because of their lack of adequate weapons. This led to their lack of adequate weapons. This led to the Indian Removal Act by President Andrew the Indian Removal Act by President Andrew Jackson in 1830.Jackson in 1830.

Indian Removal ActIndian Removal Act The Indian Removal Act gave Jackson the The Indian Removal Act gave Jackson the

right to negotiate removal treaties with right to negotiate removal treaties with tribes living east of the Mississippi River.tribes living east of the Mississippi River.

Many tribes were forced to relocate to Many tribes were forced to relocate to land west of the Mississippi River to land west of the Mississippi River to “make room” for white settlement and “make room” for white settlement and slavery.slavery.

The New RealityThe New Reality The wars ceased at the end of the 19The wars ceased at the end of the 19thth century century

with the battle at Wounded Knee, South Dakota with the battle at Wounded Knee, South Dakota in 1890.in 1890.

During the growth of the European population During the growth of the European population in North America, many Native Americans were in North America, many Native Americans were exposed to new diseases to which they had no exposed to new diseases to which they had no immunity.immunity.

Many Native Americans were forced onto Many Native Americans were forced onto reservations and many children were to go to reservations and many children were to go to boarding schools in which their culture was boarding schools in which their culture was devalued and forbidden.devalued and forbidden.

ReservationsReservations Native American Native American

Reservations are defined as Reservations are defined as tracts of land set aside for tracts of land set aside for the ownership or use of the ownership or use of particular Native American particular Native American tribes. The term comes tribes. The term comes from the 19from the 19thth century century agreements, in which the agreements, in which the tribes’ lands were seized by tribes’ lands were seized by the US government except the US government except for the portions ‘reserved’ for the portions ‘reserved’ for their own use.for their own use.

Boarding SchoolsBoarding Schools Boarding schools were started in 1879 by Boarding schools were started in 1879 by

Captain Richard A. Pratt whose goal was to “Kill Captain Richard A. Pratt whose goal was to “Kill the Indian, save the man.”the Indian, save the man.”

Pratt wanted to assimilate Native American Pratt wanted to assimilate Native American children into white European culture and did this children into white European culture and did this using brainwashing tactics.using brainwashing tactics.

Children were usually taken far away from their Children were usually taken far away from their homes and were refused communication with homes and were refused communication with their families.their families.

Video ClipVideo Cliphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ48PlBr7Oc

ResultsResults Although many Native American reservations are Although many Native American reservations are

considered key to the survival of Native American considered key to the survival of Native American culture, they are homes to some of the most culture, they are homes to some of the most impoverished people in the US.impoverished people in the US.

About 26% of students drop out of school.About 26% of students drop out of school. 30% of Native American Youth have thought about or 30% of Native American Youth have thought about or

attempted suicide. attempted suicide. Alcoholism is one of the major issues on reservations Alcoholism is one of the major issues on reservations

today.today. In 1928, the Meriam Report was issued, that exposed In 1928, the Meriam Report was issued, that exposed

and condemned the inadequate education and and condemned the inadequate education and conditions of Native American Boarding Schools.conditions of Native American Boarding Schools.

This initiated a process of replacing boarding schools This initiated a process of replacing boarding schools with day schools closer to the reservations.with day schools closer to the reservations.

The last boarding school was closed in 1968.The last boarding school was closed in 1968.

Native Americans TodayNative Americans Today Native Americans today are struggling to Native Americans today are struggling to

overcome a long history of degradation and overcome a long history of degradation and abuse. abuse.

There are many Native American writers and There are many Native American writers and activists that are working to educate people activists that are working to educate people about Native American history, culture, and about Native American history, culture, and what it means to be Native American. what it means to be Native American. However, stereotypes still exist…However, stereotypes still exist…

Look familiar?Look familiar?

StereotypesStereotypesCommon stereotypes:Common stereotypes: ““Savage”: Considered uncivilized and animalisticSavage”: Considered uncivilized and animalistic ““Squaw”: A derogatory name used towards Native American womenSquaw”: A derogatory name used towards Native American women Having Red Skin: Used towards Native Americans, classifying them by their Having Red Skin: Used towards Native Americans, classifying them by their

skin colorskin color Wearing Feathers: Not all Native American tribes wore feathers or head Wearing Feathers: Not all Native American tribes wore feathers or head

dressesdresses Living in a tipi: Not all Native Americans lived in tipisLiving in a tipi: Not all Native Americans lived in tipis Making whooping sounds: Often associated with celebration or war victoriesMaking whooping sounds: Often associated with celebration or war victories  Four main “Indian” characters portrayed in pop culture:Four main “Indian” characters portrayed in pop culture: The wise elderThe wise elder The drunk or savageThe drunk or savage The Indian princessThe Indian princess The loyal sidekick The loyal sidekick

Native American LiteratureNative American Literature Primarily oral, passed down from Primarily oral, passed down from

generation to generation by storytelling generation to generation by storytelling and performances.and performances.

Includes creation myths (stories that Includes creation myths (stories that explain the beginning of the world), tales of explain the beginning of the world), tales of heroes and tricksters (who transformed the heroes and tricksters (who transformed the world to its present state), and the ritual world to its present state), and the ritual songs/chants that were part of ceremonies.songs/chants that were part of ceremonies.

Much of it emphasizes the importance of Much of it emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.living in harmony with the natural world.

Why study Native American Why study Native American Literature?Literature?

We must remember that Native Americans are We must remember that Native Americans are a part of our history as Americans. Their a part of our history as Americans. Their stories remind us of the importance of equality, stories remind us of the importance of equality, freedom, and justice in the United States.freedom, and justice in the United States.

They had complex religious beliefs, They had complex religious beliefs, sophisticated political systems, and strong sophisticated political systems, and strong social values; all reflected in their literatures.social values; all reflected in their literatures.

Their stories, experiences, and culture deserve Their stories, experiences, and culture deserve to be heard and respected. to be heard and respected.