A Critical Look at American Indians in Children’s Literature

Debbie Reese?• Tribally enrolled at Nambe Pueblo

• Taught to observe/practice/respect our spiritual ways of being

• Nambe language: Tewa

• 19 different pueblos in NM

• Mom is from Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan)

To varying degrees, Native people…

• Know and speak our Nation’s name• Know our history, traditions, value systems, stories,

and language• We are being “tribally specific”• Pueblo children know the name of their pueblo• They know that it is different from neighboring

pueblos• They know what goes on in a kiva

Problem:“They’re all gone.”

Problem:

• Introduced and confined to the past

Solution

• Look for books set in the present day.• Look for books by Native authors.• Talk about author’s tribe and work.

Problem:Misrepresentation of traditional values in “Native American Folktales, Myths, and Legends”

“a Pueblo Indian tale”

Which Pueblo?

Remember, there are 19 in New Mexico, and we are not identical.

“Where is your father?” they asked. “You have no father!” They mocked him and chased him away.

“You must prove yourself. You must pass through the four chambers of ceremony—the Kiva of Lions, the Kiva of Serpents, the Kiva of Bees, and the Kiva of Lightening.”

Solutions

• Look for tribally specific traditional stories by Native people

• Look for well-made or model source notes inside the book

Problem:Traditional literature is a “safe” way to learn about American Indians, but inadvertently confines us to “long ago and far away”

Solution• Look for books that embed traditional stories

in the lives of contemporary Native children

Problem: Institutional racism in shelving leads to trivialization and inappropriate activities

Solution:

• Shelve Native stories with World Religions (290s) instead of Fairy and Folk tales (398s)

Problem:• Too much historical fiction• Bias in historical fiction

FACTS:

1804: Indian Territory created

1845: almost 100,000 Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminoles in Indian Territory

1868: Charles moves family to Indian Territory.

BIAS:

Not as “empty” as Wilder suggests.

Laura was 2 years old.

“Only good Indian is a dead Indian.”

Not all stories “fit for children.”

Skunk scene…

“… smelled a horribly bad smell” (p. 137)

“..fresh skunk skins…” (p. 138)

1868: 800 treaties negotiated

“finest educational system in the country for men and for women”

Solution• Look for newer historical fiction and

contemporary fiction by Native authors

Problem:

• Award status is not reliable indicator

Solution

• Learn all you can about a single tribe• Check tribal websites• Use available resources

http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.net

dreese.nambe@gmail.com

Think about it….

What are some steps you will take before purchasing a newly released book about American Indians?

What is cultural appropriation?

Taking elements of one culture, usually a minority culture, and incorporating them into

a majority culture. Often the elements are used inappropriately and incorrectly. Some

uses are disrespectful and promote stereotypes and untruths about the minority

culture.

Tips for Choosing American Indian Literature

• Look for books by American Indian authors• Watch for specific tribal names and customs. • Look for books set in the present day.• Note language choices.• Check American Indian sites for review

Databases Speed Dating

1. Begin at your assigned database2. Use the assigned time (5 minutes) to explore

the database3. When your time is up, move to the next

database listed on the wiki page.4. When the final time is called, return to

Elluminate. LEAVE YOUR DATABASE WINDOW OPEN as you will have time to return to the database of your choice.

Databases Speed Dating

Civil War Era 1840-1865LauraDelorisMonica

African American HeritageKristaMike D.Denise

ElibraryDan Jamie Christy

CultureGramsJackieNannGretchen L.

SIRS Issue ResearcherJulieMike S.Gretchen Z.

Dating Debrief

• Which database do you want to go out with? Why?

• What do you want to do on the date? (What information are you now seeking? What questions do you have?)

Final Thoughts

• How was your date?• Would you go out again?• What do you still want to know?

Coming Up

• Schedule Change: Swap discussion for April 21st & 28th. Activities/assignments remain the same. Marc Aronson will join us on the 28th.

• Assignment 4 due next week• Assignment 5 due April 28th

• Final Assignment due May 5th