"For 500 years, others spoke for us": Reprint of An Interview with Native American author Craig Womack - Page 3

That's interesting because in a sense we face a somewhat similar situation in India, where Western criticism and publishers seem to influence our own assessement of our literature and authors. Do you see any similarity in American Indian and Indian-Indian literature?
I haven't read a lot of Indian authors but I think it's basically a problem of White Text. Both Native Americans and your people face a lot of basic survival problems. That makes it hard to develop a body of literature. You need a group of intellectuals who are involved in every aspect, who understand how the community is presenting its language, art, intellectual ideas. Instead of relying on White Text to judge you.

How much of a difference has the American media played in popularizing American Indian literature and bringing it to the attention of the mainstream readership?
It's had a very positive response in certain ways. Authors like Louise Erdrich, for instance, have crossed over into the mainstream readership, winning major awards, featuring on bestseller lists. But the attention is very limited. You see a few authors get a lot of attention - which they certainly deserve. One unusual example was Silko's Almanac of the Dead, a great great novel with the very bold premise that Native Americans get America back!

So the majority of Native authors still don't come to the attention of the general book reader? Or is it that general readers aren't interested in ethnic literature? After all, Americans are famous for not wanting to look beyond their own backyard!
The influence is more in other areas. For instance, there's now a much more holistic attitude to the environment. Whether it's pollution or saving the planet or protecting endangered species, certain walls like this have come down. People are not just talking about these issues now, they're actively involved in them. The media is responsible for making non-Native Americans aware of these issues, which we have always taken for granted.

You're part Creek and part Cherokee, but a very educated intellectual. How active would a Native American like you be in your community rituals and events?
Traditional culture is very strong and active today. The Creek community have 15 active ceremonial grounds where a lot of young people regularly participate in community gatherings. Great singers, dancers come together to take part, and that's lovely to see, that's how we remain close to the earth, rooted, always knowing who we are. There's also a lot of support for young people to get education, learn skills - both modern and traditional ones. All our Indian skills are still active, but it's not just that old cliche of the Indian with a blanket. Before it was Either/Or. Now, there's no conflict between the two cultures, Western and Indian, we move in both worlds.

Article Author: Ashok K. Banker

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