1. Native American Literature
English 10

2. “The Sun Still Rises in the Same Sky: Native American Literature” by Joseph Bruchac
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. 23 and decide.

5. “The Sky Tree” 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

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

7. “The Earth Only” 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.

8. “Coyote Finishes His Work”
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

9. “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.

10. “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.