1. Introduction to Native American Literature
A Preface to our American story

2. JOURNAL #1: Confronting Stereotypes and Racist Depictions of Native Americans in Popular Culture
Consider this clip from Disney's film Peter Pan. Record your responses to the following questions in your journal.
(1) Imagine this is all you knew of Native Americans. What would you infer about them?
(2) EXTENSION: Can you think of other examples of racist and stereotyped films, television shows, cartoons, books, etc., concerning Native Americans?
(3) What is the effect of such widespread bigotry, and why might it be so widespread?

3. Misunderstandings, Stereotypes, and Diversity
“Each new scientific advance and archaeological find makes it increasingly clear that our image of Native America has been tainted by the antiquated, ‘cowboys and Indians,’ Hollywood version. Or that we romanticize Native Americans as ‘noble savages’ living in Eden-like spiritual and ecological harmony. Or, more recently, they have been depicted mostly as wealthy casino operators running gambling meccas on tribal lands. Needless to say, none of these views is accurate or complete, in part because there were- and are- so many different Native Americans. “
–Don’t Know Much About Mythology, Kenneth C. Davis

5. Unity in Diversity: Common Characteristics of Native American Culture and Spirituality
Reverence for nature as a spiritual mother
Emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature
Humans and non- humans are seen as part of a sacred whole

6. Key Terms: Aboriginal/Indigenous
Adjective: (describing human ethnic groups, animals, and plants)
Inhabiting or existing in a land from the earliest times or from before the arrival of colonists.
Synonym: Native

7. Native American Literature
Often contains creative explanations of natural phenomena
Common types of Native American literature:
Creation myths
Stories about how the world was made
Legends
Trickster tales
A trickster is a clever, often malevolent animal spirit
Chants and songs

8. Method of Documenting
Historically, this type of literature was communicated orally
Story-telling
Performing
Passed down from generation to generation

9. “Diary of an Indian School Girl” and “Indian Education”
In a well-developed paragraph, compare and contrast the educational experiences of each Native author (Sherman Alexie and Zitkala-Sa.) Be sure to cite at least two examples from each text with accompanying commentary. In other words: TS
CD/CM/CM CS