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, violence against women, etc., are continuing to hurt our people to this day: Colonization's scheme is not complete. Therefore, this research examines the embodiment and representation of decolonization, a protective force of endurance of Indigenous peoples, in the works of Diné writers. I focus on the poetry and short stories of Esther Belin, Sherwin Bitsui, Irvin Morris, Luci Tapahonso, and Laura Tohe to analyze how these Diné writers use the Western literary form and convention (the "enemy's" tools) to decolonize understandings and knowledge about Diné ways of being. I look at specific examples that these writers 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 nation and country, while simultaneously focusing on the empowerment of the Diné nation and its population. In addition, I discuss the relationship between decolonization and empowerment, and how these writers suggest decolonial strategies, which are grounded in their communities, as a form of individual, community, and national empowerment and how this relates to literary nationalism.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Comparative Literature
Research Advisor:
Jodi Byrd
Department of Research Advisor:
American Indian Studies
Year of Publication:
2007