Bücher der Reihe American Studies: Culture, Society & the Arts

Sovereign Stories examines contemporary Native American writers' engagement with various forms of cultural, political, and artistic sovereignty. The author considers literature's ability to initiate vital discussions about tribal autonomy in modern America and suggests that innovative literary styles are a compelling articulation of the connection between aesthetic and political concerns. In so doing, he concentrates on fictional and poetic forms, the structure and imagery of which comment on indigenous autonomy, selfdetermination, and artistic activism. Offering original selective analysis of the fiction and poetry of Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, Sherman Alexie, David Treuer, LeAnne Howe, Louise Erdrich, Greg Sarris, and Craig Womack, this book explores these tribal authors' concern with intellectual and creative sovereignty and deftly links those interests to the broader cultural and political issues faced by Native American communities today.

In this volume prominent scholars from across the United States and Europe examine the central significance of place within Native American history and life. They shed new light on this foundational concept within Native American Studies at a time when the idea of place is under fundamental reassessment across disciplines. The studies focus on understanding the American self within each of the varied landscapes of the United States and on recognising the true «place» of American Indian peoples within American history. The contributions to this volume are selected from the conference on «Place and Native American Indian History, Literature and Culture» held on 29-31 March 2006 at the University of Wales, Swansea, U.K. Over one hundred and twenty delegates from across the globe congregated, including the largest gathering of Native American intellectuals yet seen in Europe.

Contributor Martin Padget's essay: Native Americans, the Photobook and the Southwest: Ansel Adams' and Mary Austin's Taos Pueblo was awarded the 2010 Arthur Miller Essay Prize. This book offers a collection of essays on the interface between literature and photography, as exemplified in important North American texts.