A classic, purportedly authentic, account of the origins of Lenape (Delaware) Indians was exposed as a scholarly hoax perpetrated by Constantine Rafinesque in the 1830s. Rafinesque sought to reconcile American Indian origins with Biblical teachings and promoted the "Bering Strait theory" of Indian origins. Describes involvement of a…

Discusses how Sherman Alexie's characters, mostly created from his experience on the Spokane Indian Reservation, embody dignity, spirit, ambiguity, fragility, and never hesitate to comment on current states of affairs from their own tough but battered perspectives. Notes the author leads a class discussion to further develop examples that…

Examines common themes in three Native American novels by N. Scott Momaday, James Welch, and Leslie Silko: the power of Indian women's femaleness, and reintegration of the alienated male protagonist through ancient rituals that awaken the realization of the feminine principle within himself. (SV)

Discusses the Native American literary renaissance that began in 1968, and introduces a survey of 175 books published since then by American Indians and Eskimos. Clarifies usage of "American Indian,""American Indian literature," and "Native American." Examines literary criticism of contemporary Native American…

The author of this article provides a critical assessment of Simon J. Ortiz's collection of poetry, "Out There Somewhere," to see how this literature of resistance continues through cultural connections. The resistance one finds in the poems--against mainstream political, social, and economic forces--results in continuance of Ortiz's…

This author, a teacher of American Indian and Alaskan Native literature at an all-native school, contends that suppression of Indigenous literary texts is an aspect of colonization, and that reclamation of Indigenous American literature is a critical component of cultural sovereignty. In her classes, she emphasizes the hybrid nature of…

The Tlingit and Haida are Native Americans who inhabit southeast Alaska and share many traditions and stories. Written by a non-native scholar, this book contains nine Tlingit and Haida tales concerned with shamans and kushtakas. Land otters were fearful hybrid beings of the spirit world. Able to live on land and in water, they had the special…

This lesson book of the Karuk language, for elementary school students, teaches the Karuk "unifon" alphabet and some pronunciation. The lesson book includes exercises to familiarize children with animals and their Karuk names. The exercises also encourage children to learn Karuk names for colors and parts of the body. There is a legend,…

The literature of the Native Peoples of North America is gaining interest with an increasing number of persons; however, recent articles fail to view this literature holistically and within a realistic cultural, historical, and social context. A history of Native American literature and the impact of colonialism is included. (JMM)

Presents an annotated listing of bibliographies, classroom texts, criticism, and journals and newsletters for those interested in the study of American Indian literature. (AEA)

Shares some recommendations for teachers in using American Indian literature to dispel myths about American Indians held by teachers and students alike. Describes the author's experience as an adopted member of an American Indian family and community. (TB)

Describes ways (used in the author's third-grade classroom) of connecting traditional stories with contemporary science. Argues that traditional Native ways of knowing have much to offer student scientists as they come to understand the natural world, and that Native stories help make the facts of science relevant to students' everyday lives. (SR)

A college teacher discusses his experiences of departing from the established literary canon to teach Sherman Alexie's "Reservation Blues" as part of an upper-level American literature survey class. Students reacted to the novel and its characters, evaluated Alexie's writing techniques, and discussed their personal experiences with Native…

Provides overview of Thanksgiving Address of Haudenosaunee, which defines and expresses Native American worldview. Summarizes three epic narratives: Creation Story, which explains forces of good and evil on earth; Great Law of Peace, which provides system of government; and Code of Handsome Lake, which outlines way to continue old ways and adapt…

Suggests that the use of embedded stories in D'Arcy McNickle's novel "The Surrounded" illustrates an attitude toward storytelling and that studying aspects of this attitude can provide students with tools for encountering other Native literary works. (SV)