Enduring Critical Poses: The Legacy and Life of Anishinaabe Literature and Letters

Description

A celebration of Anishinaabe intellectual tradition. Enduring Critical Poses examines the stories, poems, plays, and histories centered in the Great Lakes region of North America, where the Anishinaabeg live in a space Basil Johnston referred to as “Maazikamikwe,” a maternal earth. The Anishinaabeg are a confederacy of many communities, including the Odawa, Saulteaux, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Oji-Cree, and Algonquin peoples, who share cultural practices and related languages. Bringing together senior scholars and new voices on the Anishinaabe intellectual landscape, this volume specifically explores Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi culture, language, and literary heritage. Through a tribal-centric framework, the contributors connect various branches of Native American literary studies and celebrate Anishinaabe narrative diversity to offer a single, overarching story of Anishinaabe survival and endurance. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Naanaagadawendam Anishinaabe: Critical Poses of the Anishinaabe Baatayiinadoon Gaa-ezhi-zhiibendamaang Anishinaabeg: The Many Ways the Anishinaabe People Have Endured Anishinaabe Writing in the Wider Native World Aadisookanan Onaagadawenimaawaan: Critical Commentary Majikawiz Bakaawiz Jiibayaaboozo Nanabozho Giga-dibaajimomin apane: Always Storytelling Notes References I. Majikawiz Chapter 1 Louise Erdrich’s Books and Islands in Ojibwe Country: Writing, Being, Healing, Place Notes References Chapter 2 The Old World Display and the New World Displaced References Chapter 3 An Indian’s Journey and Tribal Memory David Treuer’s Rez Life Using A User’s Manual: How To “An Indian’s Journey” “Where. I. Come From” “None of It Is Dead” “Welcome to the Leech Lake Indian Reservation” Notes References II. Bakaawiz Chapter 4 The Anishinaabe Eco-Poetics of Language, Life, and Place in the Poetry of Schoolcraft, Noodin, Blaeser, and Henry Notes References Chapter 5 Ambiguity and Empathy in the Poetry of Gordon Henry Jr. References Chapter 6 Justice in absentia: The Re-stor(y)ing of Native Legal Presence through Narratives of Survivance in Gerald Vizenor’s “Genocide Tribunals” Preamble: “Dane White at Sand Creek” “Genocide Tribunals” and (Im)Possible Justice Bound by Law? Writing Rights Narrative Rights: You Can Say What a Dead Man Says Living Law, Speaking Justice Conclusion: Hearing the “Callout” and the Response Notes References III. Jiibayaaboozo Chapter 7 The Exceptional Power of the Dead in Heid E. Erdrich’s National Monuments American Exceptionalism, or the Settler-Colonial Creation Myth Bimaadiziwin and Exceptional Violence Voicing the Dead Conclusion Notes References Chapter 8 Anishinaabe Being and the Fallen God of Sun-Worshiping Victorians Notes References IV. Nanabozho Chapter 9 Beyond the Borders of Blood The Overture Part 1 Niibidoon: “Weave Something” Aabaabiigin: “Unravel Someone (as in Something String-like)” Dibaabiigin: “To Measure Someone (as with Something String Like)” Part 2 Landing Identity Questionable Identities and Mixed Translations Measured Identities Conclusion Epilogue: Wiingashk Notes References Chapter 10 Enduring Critical Poses, Beyond Nation and History Miikindizi Baapaawinad Jim Northrupibanan Jim Northrup’s Art of Teasing Shakery Aankenootaan: Theory and Translation Miigwe, Miigwech: Giving Thanks as Story Praxis Diba’igan Debwewin: The Truth of Story Time Anishaaendamo: Reimagining the Existential Miikindizi: The Ironic Aim Mazinaigan Baapaawinad: Shaking the Page Mii’iw, Miidash: To Be Continued References Chapter 11 Enduring Cultural Poses Memory, Resistance, and Symbolic Sculpture Historic Monuments and the Power of Scale The Plays Literary Activism, Agents of Change Conclusion Notes References Afterword References Contributors Index