Linn M. Bayne
Alexander, Hartley Burr.
The World’s Rim: Great Mysteries of the North American Indian
. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1953.
How ritual interprets life and how the Indian world vision is expressed in ceremony is explained in this series of studies of rituals developed by the Indians of North America.
Allen, Terry, ed.
The Whispering Wind: Poetry by Young American
Indians
. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1972.
The works of students of the Institute of American Indian Arts comprise this volume. A short biography introduces each poet. Some, like Liz Sohappy, had yet to finish their college education. These very young voices are sure to inspire students of all ages.
Bruchac, Joseph, ed.
The Next World; Poems by Third World Americans.
Trumansburg, NY: Crossing Press, 1976.
This excellent anthology is a collection of the young poets of the seventies, voices of many ethnic groups from Chinese-American to Puerto Rican and Filipino and Native American and others. Each writer is introduced with an autobiographical sketch and photo. If there is a theme, it is that similarities can be found in differences.
Dodge, Robert K. and McCullough, Joseph B.
Voioe from Wah’kon-tah:
Contemporary Poetry of Native Americans
. New York: International Publishers, 1974.
Published shortly after the Wounded Knee encounter of 1973, this volume presents poets whose works link Chief Joseph and Russell Means and the spirit of Wah’kon-tah, sum total of all things. With an introduction by Vine Deloria, Jr. it is an enriching collection.
Harjo, Joy.
In Mad Love and War
. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 1990.
Poems and some prose writings focus in large on women’s concerns.
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She Had Some Horses
. New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press, 1983.
The dispossessed dreamer finds herself in the power of emotions bridled by poetic form.
Katz, Jane B. ed.
I Am the Fire of Time: The Voices of Native American Women
. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1977.
Author of two books for secondary school students and writer of curriculum materials, Katz presents a collection that gives us insight into the creative role of Indian women, past and present. It is an excellent source.
Lincoln, Kenneth.
Native American Renaissance
. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983.
For an understanding of the literary history and tribal poetics of the Indians of North America, Lincoln’s book is essential. Indexed and with a bibliography that is a gold mine of information.
Lourie, Dick, ed.
Come to Power: Eleven Contemporary American Indian
Poets
. Trumansburg, NY: The Crossing Press, 1974.
This is one of the early anthologies of new poets. It presents eleven of the finest, Niatum, Silko, and Russell among them. The poems selected by Lourie were not chosen on the basis of trends, developments, etc., but because the editor/poet himself liked the works. An excellent source.
Momaday, N. Scott.
The Way to Rainy Mountain
. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1969.
Momaday’s prose poem describes his quest for tribal identity.
Niatum, Duane, ed.
Harper’s Anthology of 20th Century Native American
Poetry
. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.
This anthology offers a spectrum of 36 distinct tribal voices that express a common cultural heritage of kinship, nature and survival. Brian Swann’s introduction gives a fine survey of Indian literature from the oral tradition to the contemporary song-poet. Biographies are included plus an index of titles and one of first lines. Highly recommended.
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Carriers of the Dream Wheel: Contemporary Native American Poetry
. New York: Harper & Row, 1975.
Edited by poet and prize-winning author Duane Niatum, this anthology has been one of the best known books on contemporary Native American poetry. Essential to any collection on the subject, it includes biographies, photos and a glossary of Indian words.
Ortiz, Simon.
from Sand Creek: rising in this heart which is our
America.
New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press, c 1981.
This is a collection of poems in which Ortiz attempts to analyze what it is to be an American, an Indian, a citizen and how we learn from each other.
Rosen, Kenneth, ed.
Voices from the Rainbow: Contemporary Poetry by
American Indians
. New York: Viking Press, 1975.
A collection of poems by twenty-one American Indian poets who, according to the editor, exhibit a strong sense of self. Most of these poems were published for the first time in the Rosen anthology. Seven women and fourteen men represent tribal affiliations across the nation. Contributors’ biographical notes are included.
Storm, Hyemeyohsts.
Seven Arrows
. New York: Harper & Row, 1972.
The introduction helps us to understand the concept of the Medicine Wheel. Storm then presents Indian stories and legends to teach the meaning of the Sun Dance Way.
Velie, Alan R., ed.
American Indian Literature: An Anthology.
Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1979.
The tales, songs with musical scores, memoirs and poetry of American Indians were chosen by Velie not for sociological relevance but for literary excellence. (7) With index and illustrations by Danny Timmons and introduction by Velie.