The Secret Powers of Naming

by Littlecrow-Russell, Sara

• ISBN13: 9780816525355
• ISBN10: 0816525358
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-08-28
• Publisher: Univ of Arizona Pr

Summary

Sara Littlecrow-Russell's style emerges from the ancient and sacred tradition of storytelling, where legends were told not just to entertain, but to teach and, if necessary, to discipline. The power of the storyteller is the power of naming, to establish a relationship, a connection, and a sense of meaning. A name is both a bequest and a burden. Each of the poems in this collection is, in essence, a naming ritual. Sharply, energetically, and always provocatively, these poems name uncomfortable moments, complex emotions, and sudden, often wryly humorous realizations. As she explores how names imposed by outsiders both collide and merge with the identities that Natives create for themselves, these poems decisively counter the images of Indians as colorful dancers, stoic saints, and defeated warriors. These verses are not constructed of beautiful images, nor are they stories of redemption. Instead, Littlecrow-Russell offers stark and honest witness to urban and reservation life at the beginning of the twenty-first century. In short snaps of honed lyric and voice, she tackles topics ranging from family, love, and spirituality, to welfare, addiction, and the thorny politics of tribal identity. Her work displays tremendous bitterness and anger, but there is also dignity, humor, and plenty of irony. Candid and compelling, this collection brings fluent verse and human face to the commonly misrepresented experiences of Native Americans.

Table of Contents

Introduction, Joy Harjo	ix
Evening in a Northern Kitchen	3	(1)
The New Buffalo	4	(1)
Indian Ruins	5	(1)
Flyer on My Windshield Announces the Opening of the 1999-2000 Indian Hunting Season	6	(1)
Escape from the Rez on a Saturday Night	7	(1)
Mourning Dove Dances	8	(1)
Savage Romance	9	(1)
Is It Too Much to Ask?	10	(2)
The Worst Frybread	12	(1)
Song from a Reedless Flute	13	(1)
Shit Work	14	(1)
Windigo Council	15	(1)
Imitation Eagle Feathers	16	(1)
A Mask of Razorblades and the Voice of the Rain	17	(2)
Indian Tears	19	(1)
Lost Bird	20	(1)
English Only	21	(1)
Devil's Lake	22	(1)
The Ancestors	23	(1)
Her Baskets	24	(1)
A Good Woman	25	(1)
It Was the Only Way to Make Tips	26	(1)
When I'm an Old Woman, I'll Be Damned if I Wear Purple	27	(1)
Organic Shit	28	(1)
A Good Night	29	(1)
Russian Roulette, Indian Style	30	(1)
To a Case Worker	31	(1)
Stop Welfare: The Middle Class Is Going Broke	32	(1)
Miller Brewing Presents Celebrations of Culture	33	(1)
Invisible Indians	34	(2)
Indian Time	36	(1)
Coming Home	37	(1)
Drive-by	38	(1)
Apology to the Wasps	39	(1)
Supermarket Traitor	40	(3)
Indians from Outer Space	43	(1)
Native American History Class	44	(1)
I Will Take Anyone to Bed (Poetically Speaking of Course)	45	(1)
For Roque Dalton	46	(1)
FUCK	47	(1)
How I Became Puerto Rican	48	(1)
My Favorite Boatperson	49	(2)
My Books and Your White Women	51	(1)
Poem for a Beautiful Texan White Boy	52	(1)
I Know 'ion Raped Her	53	(2)
Eagle Feathers across a Crow Wing	55	(1)
Graduation Day	56	(1)
Conversation with a New York Cabbie	57	(1)
Noble Savagery	58	(2)
My First Suit	60	(1)
Sue Indian	61	(1)
These Days My Prayers Come Twenty to a Pack	62	(1)
Prison Prayer	63	(2)
Eleven Minutes	65	(1)
Ghost Dance	66	(1)
Double Lattes and Earthworms	67	(1)
Lunch Hour	68	(1)
Tuna Fish and Bananas	69	(1)
Letter to Human Resources	70	(1)
Wounded Knees	71	(2)
Author's Statement	73	(2)
Glossary	75	(4)
Acknowledgments	79