INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE
AMERICAN LITERATURE
The First Americans:
• Native Americans:
12,000-70,000 years
ago
• European Settlers:
• 16th and 17th
centuries
• St. Augustine, Florida1565
• Jamestown, Virginia1607
• Exchange of culture
and more: What do
you already know?
1492
• Columbus Sailed
the Ocean Blue
• But, there were
already several
hundred Native
American Tribes
• The Great Land
Bridge
• Each tribe had
their own myths
passed down
through oral
tradition and
ceremonial
storytelling.
Universal Origin Myths
Characteristics:
• Recount origins of Earthly
Life (Creation Stories)
• Passed Down in Oral
Traditions
• Exist across cultures
Often Explain:
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•
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•
Beginning of Human Life
Religious Rites
Natural Landmarks
Animals
Events outside of human
control
Myth: anonymous, oral story, which relies on the
supernatural to explain natural phenomenon, human
behavior, or mysterious events. They help make sense of
the world.
Archetypes
Model or ideal character, universally
recognized and repeated in pattern
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•
•
•
•
Hero
Loner
Trickster
Angel/Devil
Mentor
• Small Determined
Character
• Mother
• Disobedient/Very
Obedient Child
• Being made up of two
races
• Source of nutrition/life
PURPOSES OF ORIGIN MYTHS AND
CREATION STORIES
• Support and validate social customs:
familial and gender roles, spiritual rites,
etc.
• Give people order and identity.
• Help people through difficult times in
life: sickness, famine, etc.
• Explain the workings of the natural
world: earthquakes, tornadoes, drought,
etc.
• Understand the mystery of the world.
NATIVE AMERICAN ORIGIN MYTHS
• Emphasize a strong spiritual bond between the
creator, humanity, and nature.
• Maintaining balance between these forces is very
important.
• Drums were used to keep rhythm:
• Memory device
• Way to commune with nature.
• Common Conflict: Ancient customs vs. modern life
• Common Theme: Circle of Life
• Common Symbols: Fire, Water, Land, Wind
READING ASSIGNMENT:
• Read “Earth on Turtle’s Back”
Onondaga
• Part of the Five Nations, or Iroqois
Confederacy
• Location: What is now upstate New
York
“Earth on Turtle's Back”
• What does this myth reveal about
Onondaga beliefs? Explain, citing evidence
to support analysis.
• Which archetype is introduced? Analyze the
development and impact of this archetype.
(Under what circumstance does the
archetype come about? How does the
archetypal character impact the plot?)
READING ASSIGNMENT
• Read: “When Grizzlies Walked
Upright”
• Modoc
• From what is now southern
Oregon/northern California
• Famous for their weaving
• Forced to relocate to a reservation in
Oklahoma
“When Grizzlies Walked Upright”
•Which archetype is
developed in this myth?
Analyze the impact this
archetype has on the
conflict and resolution.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
• Read: “The Navajo Origin Legend”
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•
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Navajo
Largest Native American nation
Settled in the Southwest
Reservation now: 24,000 square miles in AZ, UT, NM
THE NAVAJO ORIGIN LEGEND
•Use textual evidence to
analyze the importance
of the wind in Navajo
culture.
FOR ALL 3 MYTHS:
• With a partner, create a simple chart
that shows the following for all 3 myths:
• 1. How do humans impact creation?
Are they active or passive? What are
their roles?
• 2. How are the gods portrayed?
Benevolent? Vengeful? Other?