Exploring the rich tradition of storytelling among Native and Indigenous cultures, this book recounts folklore that captures the history and experiences of tribes. Through the adventures of Sin-ka-lip', a character who serves the Spirit Chief, the narrative delves into the history of the Animal People, highlighting the significance of these tales in preserving cultural identity and heritage.
One of the first known novels by a Native American woman, Cogewea (1927) is the story of a half-blood girl caught between the worlds of Anglo ranchers and full-blood reservation Indians; between the craven and false-hearted easterner Alfred Densmore and James LaGrinder, a half-blood cowboy and the best rider on the Flathead; between book learning and the folk wisdom of her full-blood grandmother.
A powerful force and yet the butt of humor, the coyote figure runs through the folklore of many American Indian tribes. He can be held up as a "terrible example" of conduct, a model of what not to do, and yet admired for a careless. anarchistic energy that suggests unlimited possibilities. Mourning Dove, an Okanagan, knew him well from the legends handed down by her people. She preserved them for posterity in Coyote Stories , originally published in 1933. Here is Coyote, the trickster, the selfish individualist, the imitator, the protean character who indifferently puts the finishing touches on a world soon to receive human beings. And here is Mole, his long-suffering wife, and all the other Animal People, including Fox, Chipmunk, Owl-Woman, Rattlesnake, Grizzly Bear, Porcupine, and Chickadee. Here it is revealed why Skunk's tail is black and white, why Spider has such long legs, why Badger is so humble, and why Mosquito bites people. These entertaining, psychologically compelling stories will be welcomed by a wide spectrum of readers. Jay Miller has supplied an introduction and notes for this Bison Books edition and restored chapters that were deleted from the original.
Caught between two worlds, a half-blood girl navigates her identity as she faces the challenges of heritage and love. With a European rancher as her father and a proud Okanagan mother, she experiences tension from both sides of her lineage. As suitors from opposing cultural backgrounds vie for her heart, she must confront her loyalties and the complexities of her dual identity, leading to an emotional struggle for acceptance and belonging.