Native American Literature Introduction

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts discussed in the lecture on Native American literature, focusing on the story of Silco and the cultural and historical contexts surrounding it.

Silco

A story written by Marmon Silko, associated with the Laguna Pueblo and published in 1969.

Historical Tension

Refers to the conflicts between the Catholic Church and Pueblo peoples during the Spanish colonization period.

Pueblo Revolt

A coordinated uprising of Pueblo warriors against Spanish colonists on August 10, 1680.

Red Power Movement

A civil rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s advocating for Native American rights.

Cottonwood Tree

An important tree native to the Southwestern U.S., symbolizing life and used by Pueblos to make kachina dolls.

Mesa

An elevated plateau often regarded as a sacred landscape by the Pueblo people.

Arroyo

A watercourse that may run dry during arid conditions, significant in Pueblo irrigation practices.

Cornmeal and Pollen

Used in Pueblo rituals to demarcate sacred spaces and as offerings in prayers.

Syncretism

The blending of rituals from two different cultures, as seen in the interactions between Pueblo practices and Catholicism.

Father Paul

The young priest in the story representing the Catholic Church's presence in Pueblo lands.