Native American Literature

1. Native American Literature English 10

2. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”by Joseph Bruchac • Article about Native American literature • Living oral tradition • Passed down from generation to generation • Much literature went undiscovered for years • At least 350 Native American languages • Never treated with the same respect as European literature • Not recognized for its value until late 1800’s

3. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” • Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about the natural world • Animals and humans are used as characters • Often in the same story • Powerful metaphors used in literature • Words themselves can be endowed with special powers • Indians are tenacious • They have persisted to honor their own customs • Sun Dance is an example of this • World view is not a progress line but an endless circle • Changing seasons • Cycles of birth, death, and rebirth • Ceremonies repeated yearly

4. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” • What is the meaning of the title? • Reread the last paragraph on p. 23 and decide.

5. “The Sky Tree” • Huron piece of literature • Creation myth • The beginning of the earth • How people, and land came to be • The Earth Diviner Myth • Common among Native American cultures • Earth is covered by water • An animal dives down in to the water and brings up soil • Many Native Americans call North America Turtle Island

6. Archetype The Tree Symbolism Rooting of Tree “The Sky Tree”

7. “The Earth Only” • Teton Sioux • Poem • Composed by Used-as-a-Shield • Translated in 1918 • Archetype • Wise old man • Profound philosophical truth • The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do not.

8. Nez Perce tale Retold by Barry Lopez Creation myth Explains creation of the Indians Explains the creation of Indian culture Archetypes Coyote is the archetypal trickster Earth-woman Old Man “Coyote Finishes His Work”

9. “Coyote Finishes His Work” • Coyote plays tricks on Indians. • Coyote helps the Indians • Rids the earth of evil spirits • Teaches important skills • Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, and he sends Coyote to a resting place. • The Old Man leaves, too. • One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return. • Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by the spirits of those with near death experiences. • Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.

10. “Coyote Finishes His Work” • The return of Old Man and Coyote • Coyote will return first. • Earth will require a change. • Old Man will bring spirits of the dead with him. • There will be no more “other side camp.” • All people will live together. • Earthmother will be restored.