Red Woman
AURHOE: MARTHA MOONGAZER BEARD The eagle still flies above me, The rivers continue to flow, My native heart is still beating, My red skin still here to show.
Native American Authors
Native American literature has grown in popularity and recognition in recent years. Writers such as Louis Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, and Leslie Marmon Silko paved the way for a new generation of Aboriginal writers. They use their storytelling prowess to confront these challenges head-on, initiating critical conversations and advocating for change.
Through their narratives, Native American authors raise awareness about the struggles faced by Indigenous communities and call for a more inclusive and equitable society.
Connecting ancestral traditions with contemporary experiences, Native American writers offer a unique perspective on American history and identity.
Their work spans a wide range of genres, including history, fiction, poetry, essays and memoirs.
Exploring cultural identity and heritage
Native American writers heighten their claims to cultural identity and heritage through references to ethnic traditions, and intimate connections between Native Americans and broader American life, as revealed by writers such as N. Scott Momaday, Joy Harjo, and Tommy Orange.
They offer a clarity in evocative language and powerful symbolism that celebrates their heritage and commands a greater sense of resilience.
In addition to exploring cultural identity, Native American writers often address important social issues. Native American literature has grown exponentially in popularity and recognition in recent years.
The impactful works of Native American authors have inspired a new generation of Indigenous writers to share their own stories. Through diverse voices and perspectives, emerging authors like Terese Marie Mailhot, Tommy Pico, and Stephen Graham Jones are making their mark on the literary landscape.
With themes ranging from personal journeys to the reclamation of Native languages, these authors are contributing to the ongoing legacy of American literature and enriching the literary world with their unique voices.
As the literary landscape evolves, it is crucial to recognize and support these authors, encouraging the growth of Native American literature and fostering a more inclusive literary canon that honors the depth and complexity of Indigenous cultures.
Read MoreRed Woman
shadow of the eagle
I hear the cries at moonlight, my people of long ago,
Torn away from their birthplace, marched into the unknown.Tired and hungry and dying, not knowing if they will survive,
My proud honorable family, my Cherokee tribe.
The Cherokee Trail
AUTHOR: Martha Moongazer Beard This path was covered with tears from the start, Weeping for the life of a great nation torn apart.
Cleared up Desperation…
One's thoughts - actions - goals
nothingness filled up with sense
constructed stand points.
Clever words - wisdom of self
static dissolving in space.
an understanding
There was this woman who had no idea...
no idea.....except what to feverishly create
with her thoughts and put them on a canvas
she had this inner knowledge and did not know why....or how.
THE WARNING
AUTHOER: Lone Eagle When I was a young boy, I would listen to the elders talk of the days of the Longhouses. They would tell the stories that I held in my heart And I would listen for hours as they spoke. My Grandfather was a wise man, he would always tell me The Shadow Horse is coming for our people!