Ideas for Reports and Papers
1. North America is home to hundreds of Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Cherokee, Chippewa, and Pueblo, among others. However, many Native Americans feel that mainstream American culture fails to acknowledge the vast diversity among these tribes. Research the history, traditions, and current conditions of a specific Native American tribe. How does this tribe's culture differ from or resemble that of other tribes?
2. Beyond fiction, Silko and other authors from the 1970s Native American literary renaissance also produced poetry collections. Select a Native American poet and read several of their poems. How do their themes compare or contrast with those in Silko's fiction? How does the poetic form convey ideas differently than fictional prose?
3. Explore contemporary Native American visual art forms such as drawing, painting, jewelry-making, and other crafts. How do these visual arts address similar concerns about the role of tradition in modern Native American culture? In what ways do the forms, processes, and uses of this art differ from or align with traditional Native American culture? What is the significance of art in contemporary Native American society?
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