Introduction to Introduction to Native American Native American

LiteratureLiterature

BackgroundBackground

It is thought that It is thought that the first Native the first Native Americans arrived in what is now Americans arrived in what is now the US approximately 20-30,000 the US approximately 20-30,000 years agoyears 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

BackgroundBackground

Although most Native Americans did not come Although most Native Americans did not come from from IndiaIndia, the name “Indian” was given to , the name “Indian” was given to them by them by Christopher ColumbusChristopher Columbus who who mistook mistook North AmericaNorth America for islands in the for islands in the IndiesIndies..

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

BackgroundBackground

The Europeans started The Europeans started to push Native to push Native AmericansAmericans off the land and off the land and take take “ownership” of the land“ownership” of the land for the rich for the rich resources.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 their lack of adequate weaponslack of adequate weapons. This led to . 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 The Indian Removal Act gave JacksonJackson the right the right to negotiate removal to negotiate removal treaties with tribestreaties with tribes living east of the living east of the Mississippi River.Mississippi River.

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

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

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

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

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

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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 culture, they are homes to some of the most the most impoverished peopleimpoverished people in the US. in the US.

About About 26%26% of students drop out of school. 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 attempted suicidesuicide. . AlcoholismAlcoholism is one of the is one of the majormajor issues on reservations 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 Native Americans today are struggling

to to overcomeovercome a long history of a long history of degradation and abusedegradation and abuse. .

There are many Native American There are many Native American writers and activists that are working writers and activists that are working to to educate peopleeducate people about Native about Native American history, culture, and what it American history, culture, and what it means to be Native American. 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 explain the beginning of the world), tales of heroes and tricksters (who transformed of heroes and tricksters (who transformed the world to its present state), and the the world to its present state), and the ritual songs/chants that were part of ritual songs/chants that were part of ceremonies.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 We must remember that Native Americans are a part of our history as Americans. Their are a part of our history as Americans. Their stories remind us of the importance of stories remind us of the importance of equality, freedom, and justice in the United equality, freedom, and justice in the United States.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 Their stories, experiences, and culture deserve to be heard and respected. deserve to be heard and respected.