American Indian nonfiction : an anthology of writings, 1760s-1930s

A survey of two centuries of Indian political writings American Indian literature has deep roots. This collection of political writings covers nearly two centuries and represents a historical survey of the development of Indian nonfiction prose, from the missionary-trained writers of the late eighteenth century to the members of the first Indian intellectual network in the early twentieth century. Included are personal letters, sermons, printed speeches, autobiographical sketches, editorials, pamphlets, and humorous pieces. From early writers such as Samson Occom to twentieth-century writers such as Will Rogers and Luther Standing Bear, these authors were deeply committed to the welfare of their Native communities. Many of the pieces were quite popular in their day but have been lost to time. Bernd C. Peyer traces the historical development of Indian literature from its beginnings in seventeenth-century New England to the emergence of the national Society of American Indians. This collection shows that American Indian prose has a long and diverse heritage. While not as well known as its counterparts in fiction and poetry, Native nonfiction writing posed probing questions, expressed political beliefs, and confronted the challenges facing Indian-white relations. Many of the documents Peyer has gathered here are otherwise inaccessible to the general public, making this anthology a valuable and unique resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in Indian nonfiction. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 10 Introduction......Page 14 Northeast: The New England Indians......Page 52 A Short Narrative of My Life-Samson Occom......Page 54 Beloved Brethren-Samson Occom......Page 61 Biography-Samson Occom......Page 63 Speeches to the Oneidas-Joseph Johnson......Page 66 Biography-Joseph Johnson......Page 72 History of the Muh-He-Con-Nuk Indians-Hendrick Aupaumut......Page 74 Biography-Hendrick Aupaumut......Page 83 An Indian's Looking-Glass for the White Man-William Apess......Page 86 Biography-William Apess......Page 92 Northeast: The New York Indians......Page 96 Address/Aboriginal Inhabitants of North American-Maris Pierce......Page 98 Biography-Maris Bryant Pierce......Page 108 Appeal to the Christian Community-Nathan Strong......Page 111 Biography-Nathaniel Thayer Strong......Page 120 Southeast and Indian Territory: The Five Tribes......Page 122 Extract of A Letter from Catherine Brown to her Brother David-Catherine Brown......Page 124 Biography-Catherine Brown......Page 128 Indian Address-John Ridge......Page 130 Biography-John Ridge......Page 135 Letter to the Editor of the CHEROKEE PHOENIX-Elias Boudinot......Page 138 Resolutions of the Treaty Party-Boudinot and Ridge......Page 143 Biography-Elias Boudinot......Page 146 To the Senate and House of Representatives-John Ross, et. al.......Page 149 Biography-John Ross......Page 153 The Cherokees, Their History-Present Condition and Future Prospects-John Rollin Ridge......Page 156 Biography-John Rollin Ridge......Page 160 Remarks of Elias C. Boudinot in Behalf of the Bill to Organize the Territory of Oklahoma-Elias C. Boudinot......Page 164 Biography-Elias Cornelius Boudinot......Page 171 The Indians Hard Lot-DeWitt Clinton Duncan......Page 174 Biography-DeWitt Clinton Duncan......Page 180 Passing of Creek Lands-Charles Gibson......Page 182 Biography-Charles Gibson......Page 184 Fus Fixico Letter-Alexander Lawrence Posey......Page 185 Fus Fixico Letter-Alexander Lawrence Posey......Page 188 Biography-Alexander Lawrence Posey......Page 191 Writes on Feeding Democrats Raw Oratory at Jackson Dinner-Will Rogers......Page 195 Story of a Misspent Boyhood-Will Rogers......Page 199 Biography-William Penn Adair Rogers......Page 202 Great Lakes: The Three Fires......Page 206 Account of Chippewa Indians-George Henry......Page 208 Biography-George Henry......Page 217 The American Indians-George Copway......Page 219 Biography-George Copway......Page 230 Death of Chief I.H. Tuttle-John Johnson......Page 234 Biography-John Johnson......Page 242 The Red Man's Rebuke-Simon Pokagon......Page 244 Biography-Simon Pokagon......Page 251 The Indian Problem;From the Indian's Standpoint-Andrew J. Blackbird......Page 255 Biography-Andrew Jackson Blackbird......Page 264 Transregional Voices: The Society of American Indians......Page 266 Report by Colonel Parker on Indian Affairs-Ely S. Parker......Page 268 Letter to Harriet Maxwell Converse-Ely S. Parker......Page 279 Biography-Ely Samuel Parker......Page 281 Letter to Major Henry Douglass-Sarah Winnemucca......Page 285 Letter to Commissioner Ely S. Parker-Sarah Winnemucca......Page 287 Petition to Congress-Sarah Winnemucca......Page 289 Biography-Sarah Winnemucca......Page 291 The Indian Question-Susette La Flesche......Page 295 Biography-Susett La Flesche......Page 297 An Indian Allotment-Francis La Flesche......Page 300 Biography-Francis La Flesche......Page 303 Why I Am Pagan-Gertrude Bonnin......Page 307 America, Home of the Red Man-Gertrude Bonnin......Page 311 Biography-Gertrude Simmons Bonnin......Page 314 Industrial Organization for the Indian-Laura Cornelius Kellogg......Page 319 Biography-Laura Miriam Cornelius Kellogg......Page 329 Native Indian Art-Angel De Cora Dietz......Page 331 Biography-Angel DeCora Dietz......Page 336 Teaching Ethnology in Indian Schools-J.N.B. Hewitt......Page 339 Biography-John Napoleon Brinton Hewitt......Page 344 The Indian Reservation System-Carlos Montezuma......Page 346 Let My People Go-Carlos Montezuma......Page 348 Truth is Coming To Light-Carlos Montezuma......Page 350 Biography-Carlos Montezuma......Page 352 Function of the Society of American Indians-Sherman Coolidge......Page 356 Biography-Sherman Coolidge......Page 360 Legal Status of the American Indian-Arthur C. Parker......Page 362 The Civilizing Power of Language-Archur C. Parker......Page 367 Biography-Arthur Caswell Parker......Page 369 Justice for the Sioux-Charles A. Eastman......Page 373 The Indian's Plea for Freedom-Charles A. Eastman......Page 376 Biography-Charles Alexander Eastman......Page 379 The New Indian Leadership-John M. Oskinson......Page 386 Biography-John Milton Oskison......Page 393 The Future of the Red Men in America-Henry Roe Cloud......Page 395 Biography-Henry Roe Cloud......Page 399 The Tragedy of the Sioux-Luther Standing Bear......Page 402 Biography-Luther Standing Bear ......Page 410 Product Description: American Indian Literature Has Deep Roots. This Collection Of Political Writings Covers Nearly Two Centuries And Represents A Historical Survey Of The Development Of Indian Nonfiction Prose, From The Missionary-trained Writers Of The Late Eighteenth Century To The Members Of The First Indian Intellectual Network In The Early Twentieth Century. Included Are Personal Letters, Sermons, Printed Speeches, Autobiographical Sketches, Editorials, Pamphlets, And Humorous Pieces. From Early Writers Such As Samson Occom To Twentieth-century Writers Such As Will Rogers And Luther Standing Bear, These Authors Were Deeply Committed To The Welfare Of Their Native Communities. Many Of The Pieces Were Quite Popular In Their Day But Have Been Lost To Time. Northeast : The New England Indians. Short Narrative Of My Life ; Beloved Brethren / Samson Occom -- Samson Occom Biography -- Speeches To The Oneidas / Joseph Johnson -- Joseph Johnson Biography -- History Of The Muh-he-con-nuk Indians / Hendrick Aupaumut -- Hendrick Aupaumut Biography -- Indian's Looking Glass For The White Man / William Apess -- William Apess Biography -- Northeast : The New York Indians. Address On The Present Condition And Prospects Of The Original Inhabitants Of North America / Maris B. Pierce -- Maris B. Pierce Biography -- Appeal To The Christian Community / Nathaniel T. Strong -- Nathaniel T. Strong Biography -- Southeast And Indian Territory : The Five Tribes. Extract Of A Letter From Catherine Brown, To Her Brother David / Catherine Brown -- Catherine Brown Biography -- Indian Address / John Ridge -- John Ridge Biography -- Letter To The Editor Of The Cherokee Phoenix / Elias Boudinot -- Resolutions Of The Treaty Party / Elias Boudinot, John Ridge -- Elias Boudinot Biography -- To The Senate And House Of Representatives / John Ross ...[et Al.] -- John Ross Biography -- Cherokees, Their History : Present Condition And Future Prospects / John Rollin Ridge -- John R. Ridge Biography -- Remarks Of Elias C. Boudinot, Of The Cherokee Nation, In Behalf Of The Bill To Organize The Territory Of Oklahoma / Elias C. Boudinot -- Elias C. Boudinot Biography -- Indian's Hard Lot / Dewitt Duncan Clinton -- Dewitt Duncan Clinton Biography -- Passing Of Creek Lands / Charles Gibson -- Charles Gibson Biography -- Fus Fixico Letter (1905) ; Fus Fixico Letter (1906) / Alexander Lawrence Posey -- Alexander L. Posey Biography -- Writes On Feeding Democrats Raw Oratory At Jackson Dinner ; Story Of A Misspent Boyhood / Will Rogers -- Will Rogers Biography -- Great Lakes : The Three Fires. Account Of The Chippewa Indians, Who Have Been Travelling Among The Whites, In The United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, France And Belgium / George Henry -- George Henry Biography -- American Indians / George Copway -- George Copway Biography -- Death Of Chief I. H. Turtle / John Johnson -- John Johnson Biography -- Red Man's Rebuke / Simon Pokagon -- Simon Pokagon Biography -- Indian Problem, From The Indian's Standpoint / Andrew J. Blackbird -- Andrew J. Blackbird Biography -- Transregional Voices : The Society Of American Indians. Report Of Colonel Parker On Indian Affairs ; Letter To Harriet Maxwell Converse / Ely S. Parker -- Ely S. Parker Biography -- Letter To Major Henry Douglas ; Letter To Commissioner Ely S. Parker ; Petition To Congress / Sarah Winnemucca Biography -- Indian Question / Susette La Flesche -- Susette La Flesche Biography -- Indian Allotment / Francis La Flesche -- Francis La Flesche Biography -- Why I Am A Pagan ; America, Home Of The Red Man / Gertrude Bonnin -- Gertrude S. Bonnin Biography -- Industrial Organization For The Indian / Laura Cornelius Kellogg -- Laura C. Kellogg Biography -- Native Indian Art / Angel De Cora Dietz -- Angel De Cora Dietz Biography -- Teaching Of Ethnology In Indian Schools / J.n.b. Hewitt -- J. N. B. Hewitt Biography -- Indian Reservation System ; Let My People Go ; Truth Is Coming To Light / Carlos Montezuma -- Carlos Montezuma Biography -- Function Of The Society Of American Indians / Sherman Coolidge -- Sherman Coolidge Biography -- Legal Status Of The American Indian ; Civilizing Power Of Language / Arthur C. Parker -- Arthur C. Parker Biography -- Justice For The Sioux ; Indian's Plea For Freedom / Charles A. Eastman -- Charles A. Eastman Biography -- New Indian Leadership / John M. Oskison -- John M. Oskison Biography -- Future Of The Red Man In America / Henry Roe Cloud -- Henry Roe Cloud Biography -- Tragedy Of The Sioux / Luther Standing Bear -- Luther Standing Bear Biography. Edited By Bernd C. Peyer. Includes Bibliographical References.