Native scholar Scott Lyons will explore the provocative topic of Native American literature and what it is on November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Textor 101. Native scholar Scott Lyons will explore the provocative topic of Native American literature and what it is on November 14 at 7:00 p.m. in Textor 101.
In his controversial 2006 book Native American Fiction: A User's Manual, Ojibwe novelist David Treuer makes the rather dramatic claim that Native American literature doesn't exist. What does Treuer mean by this, why are so many people angry at him for it, and what's at stake in the debate?
Native American literary scholar Scott Richard Lyons will attempt to unpack this latest Native American culture war by taking a long historical view of the subject of Native writing in English, from its origins in the eighteenth century to our own so-called "tribal-nationalist" moment. As we shall see, the question of Native American literature is not simply a matter of aesthetics but a critical site for the convergence of other important issues: cultural and linguistic survival, political relations with non-Native settler states, globalism, identity, and more.
Scott Richard Lyons (Leech Lake Ojibwe), assistant professor of English and textual studies at Syracuse University, is the author of numerous essays on indigenous life, culture, and politics, and a regular columnist for Indian Country Today.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information contact Brooke Hansen at 274-1735 or [mailto:kbhansen@ithaca.edu].
Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs; the Native American Studies program; the Departments of Anthropology, Sociology, History, Politics, Writing, Sport Management and Media, and Theater Arts; the Diversity Awareness committee; and the Office of the Provost.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20071108110713616