First Nations Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses 'First Nations literature' as referring to the poems, novels, stories, plays, legends and songs created by Aboriginal writers from North America. The paper describes the lack of First Nation literature and how what does exist reflects upon North American society. The paper provides examples from two books (a novel and an historical text), a play, and a film in its analysis.

From the Paper:

"The very making of this film offers a critique on North American society, as the filmmakers hoped to revitalize Inuit traditions and bring the legends of the past to a whole new generation of youth. The new growth in Native literature is continuing this trend, with distinctive Aboriginal voices speaking up to offer a renewed critique of Western society. This literature is uniquely capable of reminding all North Americans about the continued impact of our bloody history, the contemporary failure to ensure social justice for all, and the need for hope in creating a shared future together."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brown, Chester. Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography. Montreal: Drawn and Quarterly Press, 2003.
• Clements, Marie. Burning Vision. Vancouver. Talonbooks, 2003.
• d'Anglure, Bernard Saladin. "An Ethnographic Commentary: The Legend of Atanarjuat, Inuit and Shamanism." Atanarjuat, the Fast Runner. Ed. Paul Apak Angilirq, Norman Cohn, and Bernard Saladin d'Anglure. Coach House Books and Isuma Publishing, 2002.

More papers on First Nations Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 132994 : "First Nations Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 132908 : "First Nations Literature"
• Book Review # 103605 : "First Nations Literature"

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