1. Native American Literature "Every part of this country is sacred to my people...The very dust responds more lovingly to our footsteps than to yours, because it is the ashes of our ancestors…” (Chief Seattle, Nez Perce 1855)

2. Early History  Native Americans in North America from 12,000-70,000 years ago  At least 30 times longer than Europeans  Usually welcomed European settlers and gave them advice

3. The Oral Tradition The process of passing down sayings, songs, tales, and myths from one generation to the next by word of mouth.

4. No written language….  Most tribes had no written language, though occasionally myths and occurrences were recorded in the form of pictographs.

5. Pictograph on rock facing…

6. Remembering history…  All tribal history and literature was memorized and some tribes had a designated “keeper” of memories.

7. What do we know?  N.A. literature (songs, hero tales, legends, creation stories) was first studied as folklore  No fixed versions; stories vary  What can we learn about the way of life, culture, and values of the Native Americans by reading their stories?

8. Native Americans’ contributions to English  What’s this? Settlers encountered new things and used the N.A. words for them.  Hard to pronounce? Just shorten and simplify

9. Food Names  Squash  Hominy  Pemmican  Pecan  Pone  succotash

10. Everyday useful words  Moccasin  Bayou  Kayak  Toboggan  Caucus  Hickory  Pow-wow

11. Place Names  What are some local place names which originate from the Native Americans?

12. The World on the Turtle’s Back  Creation Myth – explains how the universe, earth, and life began.  Myth - traditional story passed on through generations that explains why the world is the way it is.

13. Functions of Myths – Joseph Campbell  To instill a sense of awe toward the mystery of the universe  To explain the workings of the natural world  To support and validate social customs  To guide people through the trials of living

14. Theme  This selection shows the Native American ideal of man living in harmony with nature.

15. The Iroquois Confederation

16. Iroquois…  Northeastern United States  Very powerful tribe – five tribes united by Dekaniwidah, an Iroquois prophet. The Iroquois Constitution was written by him, and was the basis for our own U.S. Constitution.

17. The Five Nations of Iroquois  Mohawk  Oneida  Onandaga  Cayuga  Seneca

18. The Iroquois Confederation  Crucial in the struggle between England and France.  They were expert politicians and diplomats.  They played both England and France, and finally sided with England in the French and Indian War.