Native American Women's Writing: An Anthology c. 1800 - 1924 (Blackwell Anthologies)

This ground-breaking anthology establishes the tradition of earlyNative American women's writing within American literature andAmerican women's history.

With a regionally diverse group of writers, this richly interwovencollection explores in depth the work of well-known figures such asPauline Johnson, Sarah Winnemucca and Zitkala-ea, as well as lessfamiliar writers such as Narcissa Owen, Buffalo Bird Woman, MaryJemison, Ora Eddleman Reed, Sophia Alice Callahan, Owl Woman andAnnette Leevier. Anonymously authored "women's texts" are alsoincluded, along with writing by children and young adults.

Karen Kilcup challenges traditional mainstream notions of whatconstitutes literature, including political, historical, andautobiographical writing alongside more familiarly "aesthetic"forms like romantic poetry, short fiction and spiritual literature.As well as representing traditional oral narratives, the collectioninvites readers to hear the "translation" of orality into writtenforms.

Brief headnotes outline the writers' lives and indicate connectionsbetween and among the writers. The volume also includes briefbibliographies of primary and secondary materials for eachwriter.

A key text for the classroom, Native American Women's Writing: AnAnthology c. 1800-1924 offers an inviting wealth of newlydiscovered material for scholars and general readers alike.