Decolonization Matters: Diné Literature as Case Study
Decolonization provides Diné peoples a means of survival: culturally, linguistically, physically. Decolonization in Diné literature speaks against colonial structures of assimilation, oppression, and the other destructive forces that colonialism imposed upon Diné people. The lingering remnants of colonization, hierarchal power structures, racism, sexism, etc., are continuing to hurt our people and our lands to this day: Colonization's scheme is not complete. Because of this, Western society's culture of colonialism has done a poor job of protecting and preserving Diné peoples and cultures. Therefore, this research examines the embodiment and representation of decolonization, a protective force of endurance of Indigenous peoples, in the works of female Diné writers. I focus on the poetry and short stories of Esther Belin, Luci Tapahonso, and Laura Tohe to analyze how these Diné women use the Western literary form and convention to decolonize understandings and knowledge about Diné ways of being. I look at specific examples these women provide as well as observe their individual techniques of decolonization as employed in their works of literature. Through this research I find that Diné literature provides a means to decolonize, a way that works against negative colonial structures of our own nation and country, while simultaneously focusing on the empowerment of the Diné nation and its peoples.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Comparative Literature
Research Advisor:
Anthony Tyeeme Clark
Department of Research Advisor:
American Indian Studies
Year of Publication:
2006