Native American Spirituality

Fred Schoerner (Photo Comp Serv #1) 719 1999 Nov 07 14:07:34

Description

Spirituality may be the most contentious and poorly understood dimension of Native American communities today. For generations the religious beliefs and practices of Native Americans have been the subject of public fascination and scholarly inquiry. Unfortunately, this ongoing interest has all too frequently been fueled by facile generalizations, inaccurate information, or inappropriate methods of investigation. Given the legacy of misrepresentation and mistrust, is it possible to fully appreciate the religious meanings and experiences of Native Americans?

This volume offers a stimulating, multidisciplinary set of essays by noted Native and non-Native scholars that explore the problems and prospects of understanding and writing about Native American spirituality in the twenty-first century. Considerable attention is given to the appropriateness and value of different interpretive paradigms for Native religion, including both "traditional" religion and Native Christianity. The book also investigates the ethics of religious representation, issues of authenticity, the commodification of spirituality, and pedagogical practices. Of special interest is the role of dialogue in expressing and understanding Native American religious beliefs and practices. A final set of essays explores the power of and reactions to Native spirituality from a long-term, historical perspective.

Sujets

• États-Unis
• Americas
• Indigenous peoples
• USA
• Histoire

Informations

• Publié par: Nebraska Paperback
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2000
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780803206298
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Native American Spirituality

A Critical Reader

   

University of Nebraska Press Lincoln and London

“Mediations of the Spirit: Native American Religious Traditions and the Ethics of Representation” ©sénIHernández- Á vila “Intertribal Traditionalism and the Religious Roots of Red Power” ©James Treat ©by the University of Ne- braska Press All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America  Library of Congress Cataloging-in- Publication Data Native American Spirituality: a critical reader / edited by Lee Irwin. p. cm. Includes biblio- graphical references and index.  ---(pbk.: alk. pa- per).. Indians of North America Religion.. Indians of North America Rites and ceremonies. I. Irwin, Lee,– ..  '.dc -

Contents

Native American Spirituality: An Introduction Lee Irwin

 :  

Mediations of the Spirit: Native American Religious Traditions and the Ethics of Representation InésHernández- Á vila

Cultural Identity, Authenticity, and Community Survival: The Politics of Recognition in the Study of Native American Religions John A. Grim

Spirituality for Sale: Sacred Knowledge in the Consumer Age Christopher Ronwanièn:te Jocks

This May Be a Feud, but It Is Not a War: An Electronic, Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Teaching Native Religions Ronald L. Grimes

  :   

Voice, Representation, and Dialogue: The Poetics of Native American Spiritual Traditions Robin Ridington

Pimadaziwin: Contemporary Rituals in Odawa Community Melissa A. Pflüg

The Church of the Immaculate Conception: Inculturation and Identity among the Anishnaabeg of Manitoulin Island Theresa S. Smith

Nahuas and National Culture: A Contest of Appropriations Richard Haly

 :  

Repatriating the Past Clara Sue Kidwell

Recreating Indian History

Purity and Pollution: Unearthing an Oppositional Paradigm in the Study of Cherokee Religious Traditions Mary C. Churchill

Kiowa Religion in Historical Perspective Benjamin R. Kracht

The Shaker Church and the Indian Way in Native Northwestern California Thomas Buckley

Intertribal Traditionalism and the Religious Roots of Red Power James Treat

Freedom, Law, and Prophecy: A Brief History of Native American Religious Resistance Lee Irwin

Contributors

Index

Native American Spirituality

Native American Spirituality An Introduction

 

The themes in this volume are not necessarily new nor strictly an expression of developments within a particular field of academic study. They are, in many ways, as old as the earliest meetings, misunderstandings, and conflicts between Native and non-Native peoples that have led, more often than not, to confusion in trying to communicate the respective differences of their alternative worldviews. From the “other side of the frontier,” these themes have long been woven around the problem of trying to communicate the value and importance of indigenous religious action, identity, and commonly shared lifeways that are not easily or accurately subsumed into standard “western” analytic categories. These themes involve something more than intellectual understanding, aesthetic appreciation, or a fascination for exotic cultural activities. From the beginning of cultural contact, Native religious practitioners have engaged in a struggle to sustain their authenticity in the face of sustained, oppressive cultural denials. This history of contestation requires contemporary non-Native persons to fully recognize the intrinsic worth and value of Native religious beliefs and practices that are, in fact, not simply accessible or publicly available for inspection or study. Any introduction to these traditions requires respect, patience, and commitment to understand even the most elementary aspects of Native beliefs as they relate to religious practices and values. The disturbing history of religious persecution and denial of Native religious rights, coupled with an often irresponsible exposure of beliefs or practices regarded as deeply held facets of individual and communal identity, has led to a sheltering of Native spirituality from the public eye of non-Native spectators. The consequences of representation (and misrepresentation) by non-Native others has helped to create a climate of caution and mistrust that only additional generations of reciprocal care, listening, and responsiveness can fully heal. It is perhaps the theme of learning to hear and to respect the speaking of Native peoples that most powerfully motivates this collection. The key themes are ones of hearing, responding with respect, and letting the alternative view

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