Native Studies Final
What 2 events led to a renewed interest in Indigenous concerns and ways of knowing? -
ANS-1. In 1963, when the university of Minnesota founded a Native Studies department
2. Leroy Little Bear and David Bohm (Einstein) met and initiated a series of 4 dialogues
in Michigan between Native and non-Native scholars to discuss the principles of the
cosmos
What is the difference between the way Western people and Indigenous people see the
land? - ANS-Western depictions suggest that God provided the land as a resource to be
used to fill their economic and social desires, Indigenous scholars tend to present the
land as the heart of creation, a realm where humans are one among a vast array of
creatures.
What is the source of Native identity? - ANS-The Earth
How do Indigenous cultures measure their existence? - ANS-In terms of how well they
ensured the land's health and safety, as opposed to how well they acquired wealth and
personal gain
What are the 5 tenets in Native science? - ANS-1. Space/land
2. Constant motion/ flux
3. All things being animate and imbued with spirit
4. Relationship
5.Renewal
What are songs/stories used for? - ANS-Address human evolution; they encapsulate
people's histories; they hold instructions that have guided people in their day to day
activities, and emphasize the need to become and remain socially, politically and
economically adaptable
,What are songs/stories perceived as? - ANS-Came to be perceived as conscious
beings with their own powers of thought that could inform humans. Most often, strict
rules were closely associated with storytelling
What is the best known manifestation of this constant flux? - ANS-The Trickster
What is the central tenet? - ANS-Relationship
Why is relationship the central tenet? - ANS-The relationship between land and
humanity is one that defines each person in relation to the surrounding environment and
all of the beings inhabiting that territory. In a universe in constant flux, relationships must
constantly be renewed
What did the Cree do renew relationships with the animals they hunted? -
ANS-Acknowledged the animals sacrifice in the hunt by giving away the food and by
following strict rules structured to ensure the conveyance of respect. When the animal
spirit has been pleased, it may once again give itself to the humans. An individual prior
to hunting must ask the animal being sought to share its life, for that is one of its roles in
Creation - an animal giving itself to human is a responsibility
What role did Creation give to humans? - ANS-Guardians to animals
How do humans renew their relationship with Creation? - ANS-The renewal
ceremonies, the telling and retelling of the creation stories, the singing and re-singing of
songs, which are the humans' part in the maintenance of creation.
How are words percieved? - ANS-Central to promoting healing and spirituality, as well
as for speaking the land. Words became entities that could alter the reality in both
positive and negative ways. It was believed that, to maintain balance, one must
discipline one's thought and show proper respect with words in both thoughts and
actions. Improper thoughts could result in imbalance and damage in the community.
What are the categories of Creation stories? - ANS-1. The earth diver story (after 3
previous failed attempts, an animal dives below the recently flooded Earth, returning
with mud that will be used to once again establish a habitable world)
2. The emergence story (chronicling the movement of all life from an underground cave
to the world as we know it)
, 3.The two creators story (the universe is created by two entities who then feud with
each other, resulting in a flux-filled environment that is uniquely balanced owing to
competing interests.)
Why must a nations' stories be heard in chronological order? - ANS-The literary tradition
of each indigenous nation tells that nation's story from early times to present, which
suggests that to understand the essence of a given community, an individual must hear
all of its stories in the proper context.
Why was the late 1960's an important time for Indigenous written literature? - ANS-The
1968 release if N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn opened the door to a host of
Native writers whose work led to what has been described as the Native literary
renaissance
What was the Native literary renaissance? - ANS-Starting in 1968, it was a 3 decade
period during which hundreds of Native authors produced thousands of titles.
Dominated largely by nonfiction accounts of daily life in Canada.
Why could singing songs without permission be a bad thing? - ANS-Songs were
animate beings, acknowledged as gifts of the Creator. Songs were often part of
particular ceremonies and had to be sung by specific individuals.
What type of ceremonies is dance usually associated with? - ANS-Ceremonies of
renewal and healing. Some are celebratory and performed after a great military victory
or successful hunt
What does the word powwow mean? - ANS-A gathering of medicine men and spiritual
leaders
What is visual art used for? - ANS-Addressing political and social issues, expressing
one's culture, and aesthetic pleasure
How did the Plains people make visual art? - ANS-The highly mobile Plains nations
needed art to be portable. Small-scale works included painted shields, as well as
garments decorated with paint, beads, quilts, hair, feathers and fur. Tipis were adorned
with images that conveyed stories telling visitors about the residents they would soon be
meeting. Buffalo hides were used to make clothing and shelter. Sinews were used to
sew items together; horns were used to make jewelry and utensils.
What 2 events led to a renewed interest in Indigenous concerns and ways of knowing? -
ANS-1. In 1963, when the university of Minnesota founded a Native Studies department
2. Leroy Little Bear and David Bohm (Einstein) met and initiated a series of 4 dialogues
in Michigan between Native and non-Native scholars to discuss the principles of the
cosmos
What is the difference between the way Western people and Indigenous people see the
land? - ANS-Western depictions suggest that God provided the land as a resource to be
used to fill their economic and social desires, Indigenous scholars tend to present the
land as the heart of creation, a realm where humans are one among a vast array of
creatures.
What is the source of Native identity? - ANS-The Earth
How do Indigenous cultures measure their existence? - ANS-In terms of how well they
ensured the land's health and safety, as opposed to how well they acquired wealth and
personal gain
What are the 5 tenets in Native science? - ANS-1. Space/land
2. Constant motion/ flux
3. All things being animate and imbued with spirit
4. Relationship
5.Renewal
What are songs/stories used for? - ANS-Address human evolution; they encapsulate
people's histories; they hold instructions that have guided people in their day to day
activities, and emphasize the need to become and remain socially, politically and
economically adaptable
,What are songs/stories perceived as? - ANS-Came to be perceived as conscious
beings with their own powers of thought that could inform humans. Most often, strict
rules were closely associated with storytelling
What is the best known manifestation of this constant flux? - ANS-The Trickster
What is the central tenet? - ANS-Relationship
Why is relationship the central tenet? - ANS-The relationship between land and
humanity is one that defines each person in relation to the surrounding environment and
all of the beings inhabiting that territory. In a universe in constant flux, relationships must
constantly be renewed
What did the Cree do renew relationships with the animals they hunted? -
ANS-Acknowledged the animals sacrifice in the hunt by giving away the food and by
following strict rules structured to ensure the conveyance of respect. When the animal
spirit has been pleased, it may once again give itself to the humans. An individual prior
to hunting must ask the animal being sought to share its life, for that is one of its roles in
Creation - an animal giving itself to human is a responsibility
What role did Creation give to humans? - ANS-Guardians to animals
How do humans renew their relationship with Creation? - ANS-The renewal
ceremonies, the telling and retelling of the creation stories, the singing and re-singing of
songs, which are the humans' part in the maintenance of creation.
How are words percieved? - ANS-Central to promoting healing and spirituality, as well
as for speaking the land. Words became entities that could alter the reality in both
positive and negative ways. It was believed that, to maintain balance, one must
discipline one's thought and show proper respect with words in both thoughts and
actions. Improper thoughts could result in imbalance and damage in the community.
What are the categories of Creation stories? - ANS-1. The earth diver story (after 3
previous failed attempts, an animal dives below the recently flooded Earth, returning
with mud that will be used to once again establish a habitable world)
2. The emergence story (chronicling the movement of all life from an underground cave
to the world as we know it)
, 3.The two creators story (the universe is created by two entities who then feud with
each other, resulting in a flux-filled environment that is uniquely balanced owing to
competing interests.)
Why must a nations' stories be heard in chronological order? - ANS-The literary tradition
of each indigenous nation tells that nation's story from early times to present, which
suggests that to understand the essence of a given community, an individual must hear
all of its stories in the proper context.
Why was the late 1960's an important time for Indigenous written literature? - ANS-The
1968 release if N. Scott Momaday's House Made of Dawn opened the door to a host of
Native writers whose work led to what has been described as the Native literary
renaissance
What was the Native literary renaissance? - ANS-Starting in 1968, it was a 3 decade
period during which hundreds of Native authors produced thousands of titles.
Dominated largely by nonfiction accounts of daily life in Canada.
Why could singing songs without permission be a bad thing? - ANS-Songs were
animate beings, acknowledged as gifts of the Creator. Songs were often part of
particular ceremonies and had to be sung by specific individuals.
What type of ceremonies is dance usually associated with? - ANS-Ceremonies of
renewal and healing. Some are celebratory and performed after a great military victory
or successful hunt
What does the word powwow mean? - ANS-A gathering of medicine men and spiritual
leaders
What is visual art used for? - ANS-Addressing political and social issues, expressing
one's culture, and aesthetic pleasure
How did the Plains people make visual art? - ANS-The highly mobile Plains nations
needed art to be portable. Small-scale works included painted shields, as well as
garments decorated with paint, beads, quilts, hair, feathers and fur. Tipis were adorned
with images that conveyed stories telling visitors about the residents they would soon be
meeting. Buffalo hides were used to make clothing and shelter. Sinews were used to
sew items together; horns were used to make jewelry and utensils.
