1. Native American Literature and Culture

2. Circular Storytelling Stories not written down Stories describing religious beliefs and cultural practices were passed down ORALLY from generation to generation -this is how tribal histories and lineages were formed Oral tradition – having a language to communication; but never written down TIME in Native American stories is “Circular” not thinking of time as going on a line (no timelines!) time moves in a circular motion the everlasting sense of time

3. Myth Myth - An anonymous traditional story that is religious in nature and that serves to explain a belief, ritual, or mysterious natural phenomenon Origin myth – a traditional story that may explain how life began, how features of the world were formed, or how a specific custom began *Example: the Creation story in the Bible (Genesis) – this explains how the world came to be in the Christian tradition

4. Sun Dance Annual ceremony of the Plains Indians (NOT all Indian tribes have a Sun Dance!) Lasts for three or four days during the summer Dancers gather around a central pole with a buffalo skull on top The pole represents east/west axis Expected to gain supernatural vision Would go without food and water for the entire ceremony Fasting for a vision of clarity

5. Symbols Symbol - A person, place, thing, or event that has meaning in itself and that also stands for something more than itself. Ex: American Flag = Freedom, Democracy, the color red = danger, anger, etc. *N.A. traditions gives importance to every single thing in Nature, every single thing has a meaning and a purpose

6. Archetype Universal patterns, symbols, or character types that repeat across cultures. Examples : Hero Villain Jester Outlaw Ex: Common NA archetype in the stories we will read is the cardinal directions east, west, north, and south

7. Trickster A “sacred” character Coyote, fox, or snake Partly humorous Usually “outsmarts” himself when he plays tricks A “sly” character Shifts shapes Changes genders Never remorseful Found in several myth stories

8. Captivity Narrative Genre of writing made popular during 17 th century Colonialism Entertainment - People in Europe wanted to read the “dangerous” tales of the new world

9. Captivity Narrative Such stories led to a downfall relationship between natives and colonists Often fictitious, and added “gory” details