Billy Day, a Tunica/Biloxi, recently described the significance of the sun for Caddoan people. Day quoted an "old Caddo relative" of his who said: "I used to go outside and hold my hands up and bless myself with the sun--'a'hat.' Well, I can't do that anymore because they say we are sun worshipers. We didn't worship the sun. We worshiped what was…

This research delves into the impact of established intellectual imperialistic representations and codes of culture imposed on Indigenous populations. The author offers new ways of viewing the critiques of Indigenous peoples and discussions of those representation acts by situating them within Indigenous identity and the manifestations of…

Examines the cultural and spiritual significance of Snoqualmie Falls to two Snoqualmie groups who live within the traditional valley of the Falls or elsewhere in Washington. Summarizes controversy over plans by Puget Sound Power and Light Company to increase water use, thereby diminishing the Falls. (KS)

Tayo's war experiences have destroyed his reverence for the creatures of nature. His changed attitude of respect for animals, his acceptance of their apparently evil acts, and his imitation of them indicate his healing. By observing animals, Tayo learns what to accept and what to reject for his survival. (CM)

All stories, ceremonies, and rituals are attempts to confer "totality" or structure on experience; ordinarily unrelated objects and events are given definite connection. In "Ceremony," the disjointed parts are refocused through the traditional hoop symbol and converge in a circular pattern of restoration and genuine renewal.…

Outlines the Laguna (Pueblo) symbolic geography or world view as it is woven into Leslie Silko's novel "Ceremony." Explains the protagonist's spiritual journey toward health and harmony in terms of symbols and beliefs in Laguna mythology. Contains 21 references. (SV)

Because of his mixed blood and his war experiences, Tayo feels displaced and estranged. Reoccurring bad memories have impaired his ability to function. He has forgotten the old stories which serve as guides to growth. His eventual recollection of the old stories is instrumental in effecting his healing. (CM)

Mythic (stated in poetic form) and contemporary (stated in prose) narrative shapes the events of "Ceremony." Medicine Man Betonie teaches Tayo to relate cause to effect through story. Tayo must bring the meaning of changed life experiences to the way he feels the story. (CM)

Focuses on the fundamental Native American idea that the land and the people are the same. Tayo's illness, a result of separation of person and land, is healed by their reunification. This is accomplished when Tayo makes ancient and new stories real in his actions (the Ceremony). (CM)

Seminar participants discuss the novel "Ceremony" as a curing ceremony, the function of memory in the novel, and the distinctly American Indian aspects of the novel (role of animals, circular images, ritual, mythology, Laguna cultural traditions, and use of oral tradition). (CM)

Silko demonstrates that writing "American Indian" and being "American Indian" is a matter of process rather than ethnographic and historical fact. Members of American Indian communities are shaped by the telling of stories and shape others by telling stories. To write "American Indian" is to tell stories of belonging.…

Analyzes the use of Laguna symbolic geography and Laguna and Navajo mythology in the ceremonies that heal and revitalize Tayo, the alienated hero of Leslie Silko's novel "Ceremony." Describes the sunwise cycle through the four cardinal directions and the aspects of each direction. Contains 29 references. (SV)

Examines approximately 28 children's books containing American Indian stories. Evaluates the authenticity of the stories, their effectiveness in adapting oral materials to written form, and their suitability for classroom use. Bibliographic notes include prices. (SV)

Reviews six children's books about American Indian culture, traditional life, and folk tales by Native and non-Native authors. Discusses questions related to whether non-Natives should write about Native life, whether the same criticism should apply to Native and non-Native authors, and problems in adapting oral materials. (SV)

Studies mythic dimension of protagonists in novels by American Indian authors Scott Momaday and James Welch. Illustrates discrepancies between White readers' beliefs about Indians and Indian myths of the trickster and how mythologies affect interpretation of the novels. Contrasts use of myth by Indian authors Leslie Silko and Gerald Vizenor. (LFL)