1. Native American Literature
“The Forest Has Eyes” by Bev Doolittle

2. Native American literature is a living oral
tradition.

3. Oral History
When the Europeans arrived there were more than 300 different Native Americans cultures.
People had occupied this land for tens of thousands of years. The Europeans decided to take the land for themselves and fought for it.
There were 200 different languages among the Native Americans.
NA did not have a written language

4. Oral History
What is oral tradition/history: a group’s history, legends, or myths were entrusted to memory and passed from one generation to the next.
One Native American holy woman stated, “all that we are, all the we have ever been, all the great names of heroes and their songs and deeds are alive within each of us …living in our blood.”

5. Early written literature
The earliest writers chronicled how the Europeans and the Native Americans interacted with one another and North America.
William Bradford, governor of Plymouth Planation described North America as “a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men.”
Why do you think Bradford view North America and the Native Americans this way?

6. Not given respect as literary art form until late 1800’s
Problem with translating texts from hundreds of different languages

7. Native Americans Were culturally diverse Had an oral tradition/history
Had many different genres of spoken literature
Explored common themes such as, reverence for nature and the worship of many gods.

8. Uses stories to teach moral lessons and convey information about the
natural world or human nature - myth

9. Animals and
humans often
interchangeable
in myths and folk
tales

10. Creation Myth
A specific kind of myth that describes how the universe, the earth, and life began.
Explains the workings of the natural world
Supports and validates social customs and values
Guides people through the trials of living.
For discussion: What different accounts of creation, biblical, scientific, or other cultures have you heard?

11. Creation stories
Ways to explain how the universe and humans came into being, can be found in every Native American culture; other forms include: fairy tales, lyrics, chants, children's songs, healing songs, and dream visions.

12. The Iroquois’ Refers to six different Native American groups.
They continuously waged war with one another
1722 formed the Iroquois League.
For years, they managed to dominate other Native American groups and both British and French rule.

13. The World on the Turtle’s Back
The Iroquois creation myth centers on the rivalry between twins. In fact, the twins play a central role in the legends and myths of many Native American cultures, including those of the Great Plains and the desert southwest.

14. Shows keen
awareness of
the power of
the metaphor

15. “The World on the Turtle’s Back”
Why do the birds rescue the woman?
Why do the gods turn their backs after the woman falls?
What is the purpose of the Great Tree?
Why does the myth say the left-handed twin “died and he didn’t die”?
Why do the Iroquois call the right-handed twin the “Master of Life”?

16. The chief’s beautiful
daughter Kokomikeis
was sought after by all
the warriors in the
village; she accepted
Anpao’s proposal.
However, she was
already promised to the
Sun. So, Anpao and
Oapna went in search
of the Sun.

17. Grandmother Spider
gave them berries,
meat and moccasins;
However, after many
days of traveling they
were battered and
hungry. They heard a
voice ask,
“What are you doing
here boy-people?”

18. “The Coyote and the Buffalo”
What problem does Coyote have after he abuses Buffalo Bull’s skull?
How does Coyote show is cleverness?
What makes Buffalo Bull so angry?
What happens when Buffalo Bull approaches Young Buffalo?
How does Coyote’s trickiness lead to the absence of the buffalo living along the Swah-netk’-qhu?