No-ko-mi-s E-kwah Ni-mo-so-mis Ah-chi-mo-wi-nah-k

By Nate St. Pierre

Three primary forms of oral literature

• Narrative• Oratory• song

Since Time Immemmorial

• We have lived upon this land from days beyond history's records, far past any living memory, deep into the time of legend. The story of my people and the story of this place are one single story. We are always joined together. - Pueblo elder

Life has many secrets…

• Only after the last tree has been cut down, Only after the last river has been poisoned, Only after the last fish has been caught, Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.

• -Cree Prophecy

Songs convey our stories

• There are stories and stories....There are the songs, also, that are taught. Some are whimsical. Some are very intense. Some are documentary....Everything I have known is through teachings, by word of mouth, either by song or by legends. -Terrence Honvantewa, Hopi

Our Identity

• Our Stories are our lives. Simon Ortiz

Inspiration

• In the old days our people had no education. All their wisdom and knowledge came to them from dreams. They tested their dreams and in that way learned their own strength. -Ojibwa elder

Virtues

• "Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

• -Ancient Indian Proverb

Oratory

• "You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts. Speak Americans.. I will not lie to you; do not lie to me."

• Cochise, (Hardwood) Chiracahua Apache (1812-1874)

Oratory

• I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself

• Lone Man (Isna-la-wica) Teton Sioux

Oratory

• They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take out land, and the did.

• -Mahpiua Luta (Red Cloud), Oglala Lakota

Oratory

• It does not require many words to speak the truth.

• Chief Joseph

Oratory

• Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country? God made me an Indian.

• -Tatanka Yotanka (Sitting Bull), Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux (1831-1890)

Suggestions for Speech Writing

• Do some research; prepare• Carefully observe a variety of speakers• Be mindful of audience• Be focused—keep purpose in mind• Use language that suits the need and that

keeps the character of the speaker• Avoid cliche’s

Suggestions for Speaking

• Be creative wherever possible• Use humor tactfully• Be flexible and ready to improvise• Seek feedback from others• Develop a comfortable style• Use non-verbal communication (body

language)

More suggestions

• Make every moment count• Be convincing• Be patient with yourself• Listen to other speakers and to yourself• Practice