1. Native American Literature
English 3

2. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” by Joseph Bruchac p.15-16
Article about Native American literature
Living oral tradition
Passed down from generation to generation
Much literature went undiscovered for years
At least 350 Native American languages
Never treated with the same respect as European literature
Not recognized for its value until late 1800’s

3. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”
Stories teach moral lessons and practical information about the natural world
Animals and humans are used as characters
Often in the same story
Powerful metaphors used in literature
Words themselves can be endowed with special powers
Indians are tenacious
They have persisted to honor their own customs
Sun Dance is an example of this
World view is not a progress line but an endless circle
Changing seasons
Cycles of birth, death, and rebirth
Ceremonies repeated yearly

4. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature”
What is the meaning of the title?
Reread the last paragraph on p. 16 and decide.

5. The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature by Joseph Bruchac
According to Bruchac, what is one important thing that Native American literature has in common with European classics?
Consider what Bruchac says about the authors whom he names. What have these writers done for Native American literature?

6. Make the Connection – Quickwrite
Myths, which are almost always connected with religious rituals, explain the world the people live in and their traditions.
Take some notes on myths you are familiar with.
What do they explain to people?
What comfort might they offer?
St. Nicholas, Blackbeard, Johnny Appleseed, How a Rainbow was formed, Big Foot

7. Literary Focus - Archetypes
An archetype is an old imaginative pattern that has appeared in literature throughout the ages.
Archetypes can be plots, characters, or images.
An archetype appears across cultures.
Explanation of Archetypes PP

8. “The Sky Tree” p. 20 Huron piece of literature Creation myth
The beginning of the earth
How people, and land came to be
The Earth Diviner Myth
Common among Native American cultures
Earth is covered by water
An animal dives down in to the water and brings up soil
Many Native Americans call North America Turtle Island
Symbolism: What does the rooting of the tree represent?

9. “The Sky Tree”
Archetype
The Tree
Symbolism
Rooting of Tree

10. “The Earth Only” p. 21 Teton Sioux Poem Composed by Used-as-a-Shield
Translated in 1918
Archetype
Wise old man
Profound philosophical truth
The earth endures, but people (& all living things) do not.
a poem that celebrates the permanence of the natural world and the wisdom of those who recognize the truth.

11. “Coyote Finishes His Work” p. 21
Nez Perce tale
Retold by Barry Lopez
Creation myth
Explains creation of the Indians
Explains the creation of Indian culture
Archetypes
Coyote is the archetypal trickster
Earth-woman
Old Man

12. “Coyote Finishes His Work”
Archetype: The trickster often takes the form of an animal. What traits of Coyote help him to be a trickster?
Where does Old Man Above send Coyote?

13. “Coyote Finishes His Work”
Coyote plays tricks on Indians.
Coyote helps the Indians
Rids the earth of evil spirits
Teaches important skills
Old Man tells Coyote his work is done,
and he sends Coyote to a resting place.
The Old Man leaves, too.
One day, Coyote and the Old Man will return.
Meanwhile, the Old Man will send messages by the spirits of those with near death experiences.
Indians are awaiting the return of Coyote.

14. “Coyote Finishes His Work”
Old Man Above sent “Coyote” to create inhabitants of the world.
Coyote made “Indians” and spread around world
Liked to play tricks and often got in trouble
Old Man Above came down and told Coyote his work was done.
Told the “Indians” that Coyote and he would return when the world needed change
Until then, they would live in the world of good/evil, trickery/fun, beautiful/ugly that Coyote had developed

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

16. Review of Myths
Myths and Coyote Review
Create Your Own Myth

17. Short Answers in Notebook
When did Western scholars begin to realize that Native Americans had an oral literature?
In “The Sky Tree,” which animals make a place where Aataentsic can land?
According to “The Earth Only,” which people speak the truth?