E-Book Overview
In nineteen interrelated chapters, Weaver presents a range of experiences shared by native peoples in the Americas, from the distant past to the uncertain future. He examines Indian creative output, from oral tradition to the postmodern wordplay of Gerald Vizenor, and brings to light previously overlooked texts. Weaver also tackles up-to-the-minute issues, including environmental crises, Native American spirituality, repatriation of Indian remains and cultural artifacts, and international human rights.
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OTHER WORDS American Indian Literature and Critical Studies Series Gerald Vizenor, General Editor This page intentionally left blank OTHER WORDS American Indian Literature, Law, and Culture BY JACE WEAVER UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PRESS : NORMAN Also by Jace Weaver Then to the Rock Let Me Fly: Luther Bohanon and Judicial Activism (Norman, 1993) Defending Mother Earth: Native American Perspectives on Environmental Justice (Maryknoll, NY, 1996) That the People Might Live: Native American Literatures and Native American Community (New York, 1997) Native American Religious Identity: Unforgotten Gods (Maryknoll, NY, 1998) American Journey: The Native American Experience (Detroit, 1998) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Weaver, Jace, 1957– Other words : American Indian literature, law, and culture / by Jace Weaver. p. cm. — (American Indian literature and critical studies series ; v. 39) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0–8061–3352–X (alk. paper) 1. Indians of North America—Social conditions. 2. Indians of North America—Legal status, laws, etc. 3. Indians in literature. I. Title. II. Series. E98.S67 W43 2001 973.0497—dc21 2001027468 Other Words: American Indian Literature, Law, and Culture is Volume 39 in the American Indian Literature and Critical Studies Series. The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources, Inc. ∞ Copyright © 2001 by Jace Weaver. All rights reserved. Published by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University. Manufactured in the U.S.A. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Blue The sun crowns the horizon mountains Like a child being pushed from its mother’s womb. Born out of the earth this day as any other, A ceaseless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The creatures of the night Have packed away their voices. And those of the day have yet to find their throats. It is the time the French call “l’heure bleue,” The blue hour. But it is not an hour but a moment, an instant, Suspended between night and dawn. I stand stock-still in the California air. Afraid to disturb the fragile communion, Surely the same felt by our ancestors in the sheer silence as they greeted the new day. Or by Elijah as he recognized the still small voice of his god. A bird calls out, As indifferent to my presence as he would be to my absence. The blue hour is gone until tomorrow. JACE WEAVER This page intentionally left blank CONTENTS “Blue” v Preface ix Part One. LITERATURE 1. In Other’s Words: Literature and Community 1 3 2. Trickster among the Wordies: The Work of Gerald Vizenor 53 3. Venus on the Half-Shell? Why Not? 59 4. Remnants of the First Earth: A Review 66 5. An Übermensch among the Apache: Or, Karl May’s Tour of the Grand Teutons 69 6. Clowns and Villains: American Natives and the American Musical 91 7. Innocents Abroad: Or, Smilla Has a Sense of Snow, but Our Kanawakes Are in Egypt 117 8. Hell and Highwater 130 9. Original Simplicities and Present Complexities: Reinhol