"This is the way that I am" : Early Indigenous American Women's Literature (original) (raw)

Early American Indian women’s literature stands deeply rooted in historical Native issues of oppression and genocide, yet also brings to light more subtle and personal issues that have plagued indigenous women for generations. The justified anger and inevitable grief of subjugation parallels the issues of interracial children, interethnic identity, and cultural practices as resistance tactics. 19th and early 20th century Native women authors meet such complexities with protagonists who revolt against and resign themselves to an unjust society so that their enduring presence and literary voice embodies a revolutionary act.