Native American Literature

1. Native American Literature The First Americans

2. How do we compare? For each Native American belief, write what Modern Americans think… Basic Beliefs Native Americans Modern Americans • Land is sacred. It is a living entity that must be treated with respect • No one owns the land • All things (man, animals, and land) are thought to be connected • Stories passed down through oral history • Speeches and story telling are important parts of life

3. Oral Tradition • Oral literature - nothing was written down • Stories were told at home and at tribal ceremonies • Native American oral literature (epic narratives, stories, poems, songs, and chants) was not recognized by Western scholars until the late 1800s. • Before then, it was thought that Native Americans had no literature.

4. Mythology • What is a myth? • A traditional story that is used to explain natural events, beliefs, customs, and human nature • Central to Native American culture and literature • What are some myths you know about?

5. Mythology Purposes • Stories taught moral lessons and instilled tribal values • Stories conveyed practical information about the natural world • Stories reflect Native American’s inclusive view of nature; animals and human beings are interchangeable in myths; humans are not dominant • Stories show the power of words and love of nature through similes and metaphors

6. Mythology • Different types of Native American myths • Creation Myths explain the creation of man and the world • Origin Myths explain how aspects of the world such as landforms, animals, bodies of water, etc., came into being. • Origin myths also explain the beginnings of societal beliefs and customs

7. Archetypes • An archetype is an old imaginative pattern that appears across cultures and is repeated through the ages. An archetype can be a character, a plot, or an image. • A common archetype in Native American myths is the life giving tree. • The coyote is another common archetype: the trickster hero. • The trickster hero breaks the rules and causes trouble while also often saving the day in the end

8. Your Task • Create ten test questions from these notes. • They can be any style question you choose; however, you must have at least two different types of questions.