Respond: What is the American Dream? Do you think it is achievable today? When and where have you seen it thrive and fail throughout history?

Native/Early American Literature (Myths, Tales, Folktales, Folklore)

1.) Native Americans were on this continent CENTURIES before Europeans There were hundreds of thriving unique nations Each had/has its own tradition of literature that was passed down orally Families kept the tradition going Ceremonies were another place where oral stories were retold Myths are an important part of Native American spiritual beliefs It is unknown where the stories originated They were written down only in the last 100 years These stories tell us how the world came to be Many rely heavily on a reverence of the natural world http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Native% 20American%20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf

2.) Telling Stories – Native American Mythology Myths and rituals play a central role in traditional Native American cultures They were important in giving people a sense of order and identity. They gave people a way to ensure food, explain the unexplainable, heal the sick, and teach lessons. Early Native American tribes passed stories down through oral tradition (telling stories verbally instead of writing them down). As a result of the oral tradition, there are often many versions of a single myth. Native American myths were often derived from ceremonial songs and prayers, hero tales, explanations of things in nature, migration stories, historical stories, and poems. Most myths were told through oral tradition. http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20A mer/Native%20American%20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf http:/www.livingmyths.com/Native.htm

3.) Myth Myth – an anonymous oral story Relies on the supernatural to explain a natural phenomenon, human behavior, or mystery Explains why the world is the way it is Helps make sense of the world http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Native%20American%20Cr eation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf

4.) Totem In many cultures, each group, clan or family would be said to descend from an animal or natural object called the totem Example: the Bear Clan would honor the bear, and it in turn would be their guardian spirit That group would be largely responsible for maintaining the myth of the bear The Mohawks had three clans: wolf, bear, and turtle People frequently attributed the characteristics of animals to people Example: bear is strong, dangerous; turtle is reserved methodical http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Nati ve%20American%20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf

5.) Main Types of Native American Myths Creation Myth (Cosmogony) Explains how human lives came to exist Explains the workings of the natural world Supports and validates social customs Guides people through the trials of living Instills a sense of the mystery of the universe and attempts to explain that mystery Origin Myth Explains why phenomena like the stars, moon, and sky came to be and why certain animals have certain characteristics Trickster Myth A trickster is a crafty creature or being who uses cunning methods to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native American traditions, the trickster takes many forms. Destruction Myth (Eschatology) Explains the end of a clan, its people, natural phenomenon, and the world. http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781555917241 http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Native%20American %20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf

6.) Trickster Myths Important part of Native American mythology The Trickster is an animal with two sides to its personality They create trouble and chaos and reveal wisdom Often is a coyote, a raven, or a mink Main difference between tales and myths: myths were regarded as truth, tales as fiction Characteristics: Magic, trickery, violence Purpose: To explain the origins of some aspect of the natural world and/or teach a lesson http://www.westlake.k12.oh.us/whsteachers/millerla/Multicultural%20Lit_files/Native%20Amer/Nati ve%20American%20Creation%20Myths%20Basic%20Notes.pdf

7.) Trickster Tales - Key Terms Animal People – the first inhabitants of the world; spirit beings that could take the shape of human or animal (ie: coyote) Anthropomorphism – giving human behavior, characteristics, or motivations to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena.

8.) Emphasis on the Spiritual Native American myths often emphasize a strong spiritual bond between the creator, humanity, and the natural world. It’s the duty of humanity to maintain a balance between these entities. Among all tribes there is a strong sense that behind all individual spirits and personifications of the divine, there is a single creative life-force, sometimes called ‘the Great Mystery,’ which expresses itself throughout the universe, in every human, animal, tree and grain of sand.

9.) Natural Elements in Native American Myths Animals Animals often speak to humans and assist them. Most tribes thought that individual members of a species embodied a particular spirit power. Four Cardinal Directions The Four Directions (North, South, East, West) are often given powers, which occur either literally or in symbolic form throughout the stories. Often represented by particular colors or by animals. All Four Directions must be in balance for all to be well with the world. Rhythm Native Americans often used rhythm to help them remember their very long stories Drums and cymbals were used as aids Also believed that the drum repetition could enable the singer to communicate with the world of animals, nature, and spirits

Motifs (recurring ideas) among Native American Groups Humans have a connection with nature Conflict between ancient customs and modern life; past and present Storytelling is important (“The Storyteller…”) Life as a circle Fire as a symbol “The White Man” is the European and symbolizes annihilation

The BIG Picture

The Regions

California – Modoc, Shasta, Wasco MODERN LOCATION: West Coast along California, Oregon, and Washington state

Northwest – Blackfoot, Nez Percé, Snohomish MODERN LOCATION: Northern Washington state, Idaho, and into Canada

Plains – Brule Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Osage MODERN LOCATION: Dakotas, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Wyoming

Southeast – Cherokee, Creek MODERN LOCATION: Kentucky, Tennessee, Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama

Southwest – Papago, Pima, White Mountain Apache MODERN LOCATION: Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico

A brief video on the importance of oral storytelling in Native American culture… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNY7L_RdObA

The Stories There are 15 STORIES that will be read in class. No worries. You will only be reading THREE of them within your small group. There will be three roles within each group: reader, recorder, and reporter. The reader will read each story out loud in a close read to the group. The recorder will write down the characters, plot, symbols, etc. in each story. The reporter will then present to the entire class over the three stories. The goal is to take active reading notes while reading and after listening to each tale. You must determine as a group whether the tale in question is a CREATION (cosmogony), TRICKSTER, or DESTRUCTION (eschatology) story. You will have 10 minutes to read and record for each story (they are not that long). After we analyze these stories, each person will then be writing their own myth using these guided notes to close out the week.

The Table to Use TITLE TRIBE NOTES TYPE OF MYTH

Writing Your Own Native American Myth After the writing of the rough draft of your Native American myth, you will peer edit with a partner. You will have TEN minutes to get this done. Use the peer editing checklist provided. After those ten minutes, you will write the final draft on the two-sided lined page that is being provided for you. The final draft must: Have proper MLA heading criteria Be single-spaced Be completely filled out on both sides You will do the following to classify the following things on your final draft: With a yellow highlighter, you will highlight your two animal symbols. With an orange highlighter, you will highlight your two color symbols. With a color of your choice, you will highlight your direction symbol(s). You will underline your cultural symbol used. ★You will put stars around a sentence or phrase that shows what type of Native American myth you have written (origin, destruction, or trickster).★ You will staple in this order and turn into the appropriate basket: Final draft on top, peer editing, rough draft, pre-writing page Your Name Mr. Elmore English III – Hour 22 September 2017