FIRST NATIONS LITERATURE

Chapter 15• First Nations became “part of” literature when Europeans first arrived and wrote about them

o captains’ logs and sailors journalso fur traders from HBCo missionarieso miners from gold rusho all from Eurocentric point of view

• latter part of 20th century First Nations authors developed distinct body of literature written in own voice

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

• in 1800s, anthropologists collected stories from oral traditionso published without permission

from First Nations who owned the stories

Mythology of the Bella Coola Indians, Franz Boas, 1898

Mythology of the Thompson Indians, James Teit, 1912

o Metis poet Pauline Johnson, published collection of Aboriginal origin myths

one of several “as-told-to” accounts of traditional literature that became popular

• Christine Quintasket – Interior Salisho first Native American woman to publish a novel, 1927o wrote of experiences

roundup of last buffalo residential school attempting to take away her language reflects upheaval of communities

o strong advocate First Nations rights and justiceo criticism of her writing – influenced by non-Native editors to write for popular audience

• first collection of stories by Aboriginal person in BCo Son of Raven, Son of Deer, George Clutest, 1967o lecturer teaching Native culture in Cdn schools

• numerous life histories by First Nations in collaboration with non-First Nations writers

o Stoney Creek Woman: Sai’k’uu Ts’eke – story of Mary John as told to Bridget Moran

ISSUES IN FIRST NATIONS PUBLISHING

• publishing is process of taking written material and making it available to public in form of printo signed contract, publisher

acquires right to edit and publish material by an author in return for payment

• publishing companies predominantly Euro-Cdno Aboriginal writers encounter

difficulty in getting publishedo publishers gave preference to

non-Aboriginal writers about First Nations people

led to inaccurate and sometimes racist portrayals

o when published, often gave up control of content and style

• struggled for editorial control over what published about First Nationso publishing with small companies gave more control

books not necessarily reviewed by major newspapers or receive wide readership

o only one Aboriginal publishing group in BC Theytus Books

CONTEMPORARY ABORIGINAL LITERATURE IN BC

• in 1970s, Aboriginal people began to write own accounts of their history and place in Cdn society

• in 1980s, First Nations women writing about their lives were getting publishedo developed unique narrative

voices influenced by oral tradition, metaphors with traditional meanings and characters with transformational powers

o sometimes use “rez” language rhythm and patterns of

speech in First Nations communities

use language and grammar familiar to audience

• in 1990, En’owkin Center published first issue of journal Gatheringso sampling of current Aboriginal literatureo continues to be published each year

• in 1990s, non-First Nations presses began to publish First Nations writerso wider distributiono 2 compilations of Okanagan Elder’s oral storytelling also published

gives voice to Elders cultural knowledge valuable to younger First Nations people “to take charge of our own cultural revitalization”

o Metis writers and poets published books with literary presseso First Nations scholars re-wrote BC historyo several First Nations accounts of residential school experiences in BC published

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION• to appropriate = to take possession of it,

especially unlawfully, for oneselfo mid 1980s, cultural appropriation

referred primarily to non-Aboriginal writers using First Nations’ beliefs, customs, ceremonies, and sacred stores without permission

incorporating into their work in ways not intended to be used

stereotypes contemporary First Nations people

real voices get drowned with many First Nations writers,

no justification for writers outside the culture appropriating First Nations themes or issues

not that can’t use, but shouldn’t interpret or evaluate the spiritual beliefs without specific approval

Olympics 2010: VANCOUVER — A Russian figure-skating duo who wore an aboriginal-themed outfit at a recent competition in Europe are skating on thin ice with natives in British Columbia.