Bicultural Subjectivity and Modern Native American Identity in Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

The colonial enterprise of Euro-Americans, since its first contact, flourished on the false notions of Indianness, fixating the image of Native Americans as primitive and savages without any claim to civilization or history. This fixity and lack of presence involuntarily led to an absence marked by a lack of identity and subjectivity for the Indians. The current article explores Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian through the theoretical lens of Jana Sequoya, affirming bicultural subjectivity propagated by mixed-blood writers on the nexus of inside-outside as a suitable solution to the paradoxes that constitute Indian identity. Denying the rigid approach of the insularity of cultures, this bicultural work offers the possibility of Indianization of American forms and adaptation and acculturation of those dominant forms that are integral for the advancement of Indians in the modern world. The current research also deduces that such a presence can powerfully combat and confound the discursive dichotomy and representation of Indians as the binarized version of modern and civilized Whites.

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Health Care for the Underprivileged in the Land of Affluence: California Native Americans

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.62.3.377 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 377-381

Author(s):

Theodore A. Montgomery

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Care Education ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Native American Culture ◽

Indian Identity ◽

Self Sufficiency ◽

Indian Lands

The American Indian has demonstrated all too clearly, despite his recent move to urban centers, that he is not content to be a poverty statistic. He has demonstrated the strength and fiber of strong cultural and social ties by maintaining an Indian identity in many of the nation's largest metropolitan centers. At the same time, he aspires to the same goal of all citizens—a life of decency and self-sufficiency. The non-Indian population of California needs to keep in mind that at the time the Indians agreed (under coercion in most cases) to turn their ancestral lands over to the white man, treaties were signed by the Indians which promised that, in exchange for Indian lands, the white man would provide for the health care, education, and welfare of Indians. Indians are attempting to achieve a life-style compatible with individual dignity and personal peace—the base of Native American culture. There must be rediscovery and preservation of that culture to insure the physical, mental, and environmental well-being of its members.

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The Native American dream in Sherman Alexie's short story “One Good Man”

Cultura, Lenguaje y Representación ◽

10.6035/clr.2021.25.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 33-45

Author(s):

María Laura Arce Álvarez

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Short Story ◽

American Dream ◽

White Americans ◽

White American ◽

Native American Identity ◽

Indian Identity ◽

The Social ◽

American Society ◽

Definition Of

The purpose of this article is to discuss the idea of an Indian identity and the Native American Dream in Sherman Alexie’s short story “One Good Man.” In this story, Alexie introduces the idea of the Indian constructed by the White Americans and attempts through his characters to redefine that concept by deconstructing all the different stereotypes created by the White American society. In order to do this, he also introduces the idea of the American Dream that he calls the “Native American Dream” to express the social inequality and hopeless existence of the Indian community always immersed in an ironic and comic discourse. In this sense, Alexie proposes a new definition of the Indian identity looking back to culture, tradition and the space of the reservation. He creates in his fiction a space of contestation and resistance opening a new voice for the Native American identity.

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Native American Stereotypes, TV Portrayals, and Personal Contact

Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly ◽

10.1177/107769909707400203 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 265-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Alexis Tan ◽

Yuki Fujioka ◽

Nancy Lucht

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Minority Groups ◽

Minority Group ◽

Strong Support ◽

Learning Theories ◽

Personal Contact ◽

Frequency Of Contact ◽

First Contact ◽

Complexity Theories

This study tests hypotheses derived from extremity-complexity and stage theories of stereotyping which predict that frequency of contact with a minority group leads to knowledge which then leads to positive group evaluations. We also test hypotheses from learning theories of behavior which predict that evaluations of contact with minority groups determine group evaluations. The hypotheses are tested for direct personal contact and vicarious contact via television. We administered questionnaires to white college students to measure the contact variables and stereotypes of Native Americans. Results show strong support for the learning hypotheses, but not for extremity-complexity theories of stereotyping. Evaluations of first contact as pleasant or unpleasant, frequency of contact, and evaluations of TV portrayals as negative or positive predict stereotyping. Implications for stereotyping theories are discussed.

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Native American Colorism: From Historical Manifestations to the Current Era

American Behavioral Scientist ◽

10.1177/0002764218810751 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 62 (14) ◽

pp. 2023-2036

Author(s):

Donna Brown ◽

Karen Branden ◽

Ronald E. Hall

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Skin Color ◽

School Setting ◽

Dark Skin ◽

Mixed Blood ◽

Light Skin ◽

Victim Group ◽

Modern Era

Following conquest by European settlers Native Americans internalized Euro-American traditions and ideals. Salient among such ideals was the internalization of a bias as pertains to skin color defined as colorism. Colorism is a quasi-manifestation of racism carried out by victim-group populations. Subsequently, light skin was idealized and dark skin denigrated. Initially the idealization of light skin was dramatically displayed in the school setting. Internal confrontations between Cherokee tribal members were frequent. In the modern era, per confrontations such idealization is exacerbated by the complexity of tribal membership. Said complexity is acted out where those of Euro-American (light-skinned) mixed blood are more favored compared with those of African American (dark-skinned) mixed blood. The accountability of the Euro-American influenced relative to the aforementioned confrontations must be addressed in the quest for resolution.

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Genetic histories: Native Americans’ accounts of being at risk for diabetes

Social Studies of Science ◽

10.1177/0306312712454044 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. 821-842 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Puneet Chawla Sahota

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Diabetes Risk ◽

Modern World ◽

Tribal Community ◽

Genetics Research ◽

Ethnographic Interviews ◽

The Face

In an age of genetic medicine, ethnic groups are increasingly being labeled at risk for chronic diseases. Biomedical and genetics research studies have had a significant impact on Native Americans’ perceptions of diabetes risk. Ethnographic interviews with 53 Native Americans were conducted in a tribal community that has participated extensively in studies of diabetes. Tribal members had varying reactions to research labeling them at risk genetically for diabetes, from fatalism to motivation for changing diet/exercise habits. Interviewees spontaneously discussed the ‘thrifty genotype’ hypothesis in diverse ways. Some felt Native Americans had ‘weak genes’ that made them ‘poorly adapted’ to modern society’s diet, while others stated that Native Americans had ‘survival genes’ that historically helped them thrive in harsh environments. Interviewees used genetics as a metaphor for expressing vulnerability in the face of a challenging history that resulted in rapid changes to Native American lifestyles. Interestingly, some tribal members saw biomedical research as a tool to help them ‘adapt’ to the modern world. Collaborative research may provide tribes with unique opportunities to actively address the diabetes epidemic. Researchers’ and healthcare providers’ descriptions of diabetes risk have important implications for how community members perceive their ability to prevent or manage the disease.

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Reclaiming Representations & Interrupting the Cycle of Bias Against Native Americans

Daedalus ◽

10.1162/daed_a_00491 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 147 (2) ◽

pp. 70-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Arianne E. Eason ◽

Laura M. Brady ◽

Stephanie A. Fryberg

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Cultural Change ◽

Legal System ◽

American Identity ◽

Native American Identity ◽

The Media ◽

Equitable Outcomes

The most widely accessible ideas and representations of Native Americans are largely negative, antiquated, and limiting. In this essay, we examine how the prevalence of such representations and a comparative lack of positive contemporary representations foster a cycle of bias that perpetuates disparities among Native Americans and other populations. By focusing on three institutions – the legal system, the media, and education – we illustrate how the same process that creates disparate outcomes can be leveraged to promote positive contemporary ideas and representations of Native Americans, thereby creating more equitable outcomes. We also highlight the actions some contemporary Native Americans have taken to reclaim their Native American identity and create accurate ideas and representations of who Native Americans are and what they can become. These actions provide a blueprint for leveraging cultural change to interrupt the cycle of bias and to reduce the disparities Native Americans face in society.

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Lakota virtues and leadership principles: insights and applications for ethical leaders

Journal of Management Development ◽

10.1108/jmd-03-2016-0038 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 309-318 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cam Caldwell

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Native Americans ◽

Ethical Leadership ◽

Modern Society ◽

Modern World ◽

Content Type ◽

Lakota Sioux ◽

Great Community ◽

Practical Implications ◽

Ethical Leaders

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the practical value and leadership applications of the 12 virtues of the Lakota (Sioux) nation and their importance for ethical leaders in the modern world. Design/methodology/approach This paper describes and briefly summarizes each of the 12 Lakota virtues and presents parallel insights from the leadership literature in summarizing the ethically-related nature of the Lakota virtues. Findings The paper demonstrates that scholars in leadership affirm that the Lakota virtues have parallel scholarly support as important factors in ethical leadership. Research limitations/implications The paper affirms the importance of virtue-based leadership principles as a useful approach for modern leaders and demonstrates the wisdom and practical value of traditional Lakota perspectives. The opportunity to focus on the importance of virtue-based ethical leadership is reinforced. Practical implications Today’s current and would-be leaders can benefit by comparing their own perspectives about leadership with the 12 Lakota virtues. By examining their own behaviors and comparing them with the Lakota virtues, leaders and those who wish to lead can increase their understanding of the value of these virtues in the leader-follower relationship. Social implications The Lakota (Sioux) nation represents a noble people who were feared and respected. As Native Americans, the virtues of the Lakota nation greatly influenced the culture of this once great community of people, and the virtues that guided them and that continue to influence them today have practical value for modern society. Originality/value Little has been written in the management literature about the practical application of Native American virtues and values and the opportunity to revisit the implications of the Lakota virtues adds to the leadership literature and provides insights about this people.

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The First Gardeners: Native Americans and New Jersey’s Environment at First Contact

New Jersey Studies An Interdisciplinary Journal ◽

10.14713/njs.v5i2.171 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 146

Author(s):

Matthew Knoblauch

Keyword(s):

Native American ◽

Seventeenth Century ◽

Native Americans ◽

Land Management ◽

Physical Environment ◽

Indigenous Populations ◽

Epidemic Disease ◽

Delaware Valley ◽

Unmanaged Forest ◽

First Contact

This work examines the region’s physical environment around 1600 using contemporary observations of extant fauna and flora as well as a historiography of scholarship on Native American land management, and concludes not only that there was never a primeval forest in the east, but that European intrusion actually caused the forests to grow thick with neglect. Upon European arrival, the forest was a widely-spaced, open landscape that was frequently burned and actively managed by the Native Americans. After European arrival, epidemic disease devastated indigenous populations such that the forests grew wild outside of the agrarian corridors in the Delaware Valley and Piedmont. This, combined with long-standing dehumanizing racism against Native Americans, cemented the notion of the pristine myth into popular history. The argument begins with a description of early European observations from the seventeenth century, progresses to an assessment of the evolution of modern understanding of how Native Americans managed the forest through fire and other techniques, and concludes with an analysis of the persistence of the pristine myth balanced with the reality that, as Natives were killed by epidemic disease or otherwise vacated the region, there truly was an unmanaged forest growing at the periphery of the colonial world for a brief moment in history.

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