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Rachel NoliFollow

Content Category

Literary Criticism

Abstract/Description

In relatively recent history, there has been a shift in the American literary canon to include marginalized and forgotten voices. One group that has suffered from this subjugation is the countless tribes of Native Americans. Among these rising voices of Native writers, there appears to be some debate in regards to the level of assimilation groups of “Indians” were forced into. Many prevalent writers, such as Chief Black Hawk and Red Jacket, take center stage in this debate. Such famous orators pen memorable speeches decrying the imposition of the white men on their tribes, and rightfully so. But there are many that chose to assimilate to American culture, and that is often over looked by this burgeoning literary canon. This has become apparent through the study of various Native American newspapers, such as The Mental Elevator and The Daily Indian Journal. One piece that originated from The Daily Indian Journal, “Muskogee as a Stranger Sees It,” highlights that many Native American communities became “traditionally American.” In criticism, there appears to be no exploration of works such as these—the focus lies solely on works that spoke against the oppression forced on native tribes, and on groups that were forced to assimilate against their will. This paper seeks to bridge the gap and involve groups that willingly changed their ways of life into the critical conversation of the United States’ affects on Native Americans. By omitting any voice from the time period, the conversation cannot be considered a complete one—and the cycle simply continues to perpetuate.

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Origin of Submission

as part of a class

Faculty Involvement

Dr. Michael Taylor

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Muskogee as the Canon Sees It

In relatively recent history, there has been a shift in the American literary canon to include marginalized and forgotten voices. One group that has suffered from this subjugation is the countless tribes of Native Americans. Among these rising voices of Native writers, there appears to be some debate in regards to the level of assimilation groups of “Indians” were forced into. Many prevalent writers, such as Chief Black Hawk and Red Jacket, take center stage in this debate. Such famous orators pen memorable speeches decrying the imposition of the white men on their tribes, and rightfully so. But there are many that chose to assimilate to American culture, and that is often over looked by this burgeoning literary canon. This has become apparent through the study of various Native American newspapers, such as The Mental Elevator and The Daily Indian Journal. One piece that originated from The Daily Indian Journal, “Muskogee as a Stranger Sees It,” highlights that many Native American communities became “traditionally American.” In criticism, there appears to be no exploration of works such as these—the focus lies solely on works that spoke against the oppression forced on native tribes, and on groups that were forced to assimilate against their will. This paper seeks to bridge the gap and involve groups that willingly changed their ways of life into the critical conversation of the United States’ affects on Native Americans. By omitting any voice from the time period, the conversation cannot be considered a complete one—and the cycle simply continues to perpetuate.