Select two authors from the indigenous readings to compare and contrast. You may want to select one from each country and compare and contrast the Native American experience with that of the Aboriginal Australian experience.
What did the two populations have in common?
How were their experiences different?
How did the authors represent their time period and their culture?
How did they represent mainstream society vs. the indigenous people?
What are common traits in both worlds?
How are myths and legends utilized by both indigenous populations?
Full Answer Section
Both groups have also faced a long history of oppression and colonialism. Native Americans were forcibly displaced from their lands and subjected to genocide and cultural assimilation. Aboriginal Australians were also displaced from their lands and subjected to cultural assimilation, but they were also subjected to the Stolen Generations, a policy of forcibly removing Indigenous children from their families and placing them in white foster homes or institutions.
How were their experiences different?
Despite their similarities, there are also some important differences between the Native American and Aboriginal Australian experiences.
One difference is the timing of colonization. The Americas were colonized by Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries, while Australia was not colonized until the late 18th century. This means that Native Americans have had a longer history of interaction with Europeans and Euro-Americans.
Another difference is the nature of the colonial relationship. In the Americas, Europeans established colonies and eventually took control of the entire continent. In Australia, Europeans initially established colonies on the coast and gradually expanded their control inland. This means that Aboriginal Australians have had a more gradual experience of colonization.
How did the authors represent their time period and their culture?
Silko's and Noonuccal's writing is deeply rooted in their respective cultures. They both draw on traditional stories and myths in their work. They also write about the challenges and triumphs of their people.
Silko's novel Ceremony is set in the 1940s and 1950s and tells the story of Tayo, a young Laguna Pueblo man who returns from World War II traumatized by his experiences. He finds healing and renewal through traditional Laguna Pueblo practices.
Noonuccal's poetry collection We Are Going is a powerful collection of poems about the Aboriginal Australian experience. She writes about the beauty of her homeland, the resilience of her people, and the pain of colonialism.
How did they represent mainstream society vs. the indigenous people?
Both Silko and Noonuccal are critical of mainstream society and the ways in which it has oppressed Indigenous peoples. However, they also celebrate the resilience and strength of their cultures.
Silko's novel Ceremony shows how mainstream society can be alienating and destructive for Indigenous peoples. However, it also shows how Indigenous peoples can find healing and renewal through their own cultures.
Noonuccal's poetry collection We Are Going challenges the dominant narrative of Australian history, which often marginalizes and erases Aboriginal Australians. She celebrates the Aboriginal Australian experience and gives voice to the voices of her people.
Common traits in both worlds
Despite the differences in their experiences, there are also some common traits in the worlds of Silko and Noonuccal. Both authors write about the importance of family, community, and culture. They also write about the importance of respecting the natural world.
How are myths and legends utilized by both indigenous populations?
Myths and legends play an important role in both Native American and Aboriginal Australian cultures. They are used to teach people about their history, culture, and values. They are also used to explain the natural world and the human condition.
Silko and Noonuccal both draw on traditional myths and legends in their writing. For example, Silko's novel Ceremony is deeply influenced by Laguna Pueblo mythology. Noonuccal's poetry collection We Are Going includes poems that retell traditional Aboriginal Australian stories.
Conclusion
Silko and Noonuccal are two important Indigenous authors who write about their respective cultures and the challenges and triumphs of their people. Their work is both insightful and inspiring.
Sample Answer
For this exercise, I will compare and contrast two Indigenous authors from different countries: Leslie Marmon Silko, a Native American author, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal, an Aboriginal Australian author.
What did the two populations have in common?
Both Native Americans and Aboriginal Australians are Indigenous peoples, meaning that they are the original inhabitants of their respective lands. Both groups have a rich history and culture that has been passed down through generations.