Native American LiteratureNative American Literature

English 10English 10

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Native American Literature”

by Joseph Bruchacby Joseph Bruchac Article about Native American literatureArticle about Native American literature Living oral traditionLiving oral tradition

– Passed down from generation to generationPassed down from generation to generation– Much literature went undiscovered for yearsMuch literature went undiscovered for years– At least 350 Native American languagesAt least 350 Native American languages

Never treated with the same respect as Never treated with the same respect as European literatureEuropean literature– Not recognized for its value until late 1800’sNot recognized for its value until late 1800’s

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Native American Literature”

Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about the natural worldthe natural world

Animals and humans are used as charactersAnimals and humans are used as characters– Often in the same storyOften in the same story

Powerful metaphors used in literaturePowerful metaphors used in literature– Words themselves can be endowed with special powersWords themselves can be endowed with special powers

Indians are tenacious Indians are tenacious – They have persisted to honor their own customsThey have persisted to honor their own customs– Sun Dance is an example of thisSun Dance is an example of this

World view is not a progress line but an endless circleWorld view is not a progress line but an endless circle– Changing seasonsChanging seasons– Cycles of birth, death, and rebirthCycles of birth, death, and rebirth– Ceremonies repeated yearlyCeremonies repeated yearly

““The Sun Still Rises in the Same The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”Sky: Native American Literature”

What is the meaning of the title? What is the meaning of the title? Reread the last paragraph on p. 23 and Reread the last paragraph on p. 23 and

decide.decide.

““The Sky Tree”The Sky Tree”

Huron piece of literatureHuron piece of literature Creation mythCreation myth

– The beginning of the earthThe beginning of the earth– How people, and land came to beHow people, and land came to be

The Earth Diviner MythThe Earth Diviner Myth– Common among Native American culturesCommon among Native American cultures– Earth is covered by waterEarth is covered by water– An animal dives down in to the water and brings up soilAn animal dives down in to the water and brings up soil– Many Native Americans call North America Turtle IslandMany Native Americans call North America Turtle Island

““The Sky Tree”The Sky Tree”

ArchetypeArchetype– The TreeThe Tree

SymbolismSymbolism– Rooting of TreeRooting of Tree

““The Earth Only”The Earth Only”

Teton SiouxTeton Sioux PoemPoem Composed by Used-as-a-ShieldComposed by Used-as-a-Shield Translated in 1918Translated in 1918 ArchetypeArchetype

– Wise old manWise old man

Profound philosophical truthProfound philosophical truth– The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do

not.not.

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work”

Nez Perce taleNez Perce tale Retold by Barry LopezRetold by Barry Lopez Creation mythCreation myth

– Explains creation of the Explains creation of the IndiansIndians

– Explains the creation of Explains the creation of Indian cultureIndian culture

ArchetypesArchetypes– Coyote is the archetypal Coyote is the archetypal

trickstertrickster– Earth-womanEarth-woman

– Old ManOld Man

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work”

Coyote plays tricks on Indians.Coyote plays tricks on Indians. Coyote helps the IndiansCoyote helps the Indians

– Rids the earth of evil spiritsRids the earth of evil spirits– Teaches important skillsTeaches important skills

Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, Old Man tells Coyote his work is done, and he sends Coyote to a resting place.and he sends Coyote to a resting place.

The Old Man leaves, too.The Old Man leaves, too. One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return.One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return. Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by the spirits Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by the spirits

of those with near death experiences.of those with near death experiences. Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.

““Coyote Finishes His Work”Coyote Finishes His Work”

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