Mourning Dove, an Indigenous activist, ethnographer, and novelist, discusses her early career and the impact of losing land on Indigenous bands. The podcast also explores the dark history of Indigenous schools in the US and Christine Quintasket's experiences at Fort Shaw Indian School. It delves into power disparities with Lecullis Virgil McWhorter and Morning Dove's gratitude towards him, as well as her challenges as an Indigenous writer.
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Quick takeaways
Morning Dove was one of the first Indigenous women in the US to publish a novel, aiming to dispel stereotypes about Indigenous people.
She recognized the importance of preserving Indigenous stories and traditions, documenting 22 stories to prevent their loss.
Deep dives
The Life of Morning Dove
Morning Dove, also known as Christine Quintasket, was an Indigenous activist, ethnographer, and novelist. She was one of the first Indigenous women in the United States to publish a novel. Born in 1888 on the Colville Reservation, Morning Dove experienced the impact of government policies on Indigenous communities, including the reduction of reservation lands through executive orders and the Dawes Act. She attended boarding schools that aimed to assimilate Indigenous children into white culture. Despite facing personal challenges, she pursued her education and writing, eventually working on her novel, Kogi Wia. Morning Dove's work aimed to humanize Indigenous people for a white audience and dispel stereotypes. She collaborated with Lecullis Virgil McWhorter, a white rancher and Indigenous rights advocate, who influenced and supported her writing journey.
Preserving Indigenous Stories
Morning Dove recognized the importance of preserving Indigenous stories and traditions. She collected 22 Indigenous stories and legends, fearing that they would be lost if not recorded. McWhorter, who acted as her editor and literary agent, encouraged her to document the knowledge and culture of her people. Morning Dove's novel, Kogi Wia, which took 11 years to be published, drew inspiration from her own experiences and observations, including witnessing the roundup of bison near extinction and challenging stereotypes about Indigenous people's emotions and resilience.
The Impact of Boarding Schools
Morning Dove's experience in boarding schools, such as the Goodwin Catholic Mission and Fort Shaw Indian School, shaped her perspective on Indigenous education. Boarding schools aimed to forcibly assimilate Indigenous children into white culture, prohibiting them from speaking their native languages and practicing their traditions. Morning Dove's struggles with English and the cultural conflicts she faced highlighted the destructive impact of these schools on Indigenous communities.
Challenges and Resilience
Morning Dove faced personal challenges, including a turbulent marriage, financial difficulties, and working as a migrant agricultural laborer. Despite these hardships, she continued writing and advocating for Indigenous rights. Morning Dove's journey exemplified her resilience, as she navigated the complexities of her identity and culture while challenging stereotypes and preserving Indigenous stories.
Mourning Dove was an activist, ethnographer and novelist, and one of the first, if not the first, Indigenous women in the U.S. to publish a novel. Part one covers the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and her early career.
Research:
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