Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England

by Siobhan Senier (Editor)

Dawnland Voices calls attention to the little-known but extraordinarily rich literary traditions of New England’s Native Americans. This pathbreaking anthology includes both classic and contemporary literary works from ten New England indigenous nations: the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, Mohegan, Narragansett, Nipmuc, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Schaghticoke, and Wampanoag.

 Through literary collaboration and recovery, Siobhan Senier and Native tribal historians and scholars have crafted a unique volume covering a variety of genres and historical periods. From the earliest petroglyphs and petitions to contemporary stories and hip-hop poetry, this volume highlights the diversity and strength of New England Native literary traditions. Dawnland Voices introduces readers to the compelling and unique literary heritage in New England, banishing the misconception that “real” Indians and their traditions vanished from that region centuries ago.

 

Genres: Indigenous, Poetry, Short Stories, Essays, History, Nonfiction, Anthologies

716 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawnland Voices presents modern and historical Native American writings in a way that is accessible, yet the works themselves remain powerful and moving after multiple reads. At first, not having been exposed to much if any Native American writing, I had some trouble reading the writings and thinking “So what?” Even though I understood the language and act of storytelling was powerful, it took more reading for me to fully grasp the work of the anthology and to stop letting my expectations of Native American literature interrupt the experience of actually reading Native American literature. However, once I stopped myself from the temptation to analyze and quantify everything, I began to really appreciate and learn from these authors and editors.

For me, some of the most powerful writings came from the Narragansett writers of Rhode Island and their continuing fight against the state and federal government for justice and freedom. In the introduction of this section, the tribal editor and Narragansett Elder Dawn Dove says, “The truth would make one weep. The truth is so horrific that it would make one want to turn a blind eye rather than face the atrocities that were committed against our people.” The following selections make it impossible to deny the truth, and show the historical and modern struggles of the Narragansett people unflinchingly. As Dawn Dove writes “the pain and trauma are great,” and it is clear that this is a current pain and trauma that cannot be ignored or silenced, as witnessed by this anthology.

Among the painful stories, however, are poems and speeches and stories that show resilience and dignity despite pain that also cannot be ignored. Whether these selections are from tribal archives or previously unpublished modern works, they all tell stories usually on the periphery of our consciousness, if at all. One recurring theme is the absence of Native American education that embraces local New England tribes and the myth that “all the Indians are gone.” The anthology beautifully demonstrates the pride and strength of these writers’ identities and destroys the myths and stereotypes surrounding Native Americans.

I loved the Penobscot writings of Rhonda Frey and poetry of Molly Spotted Elk, the Abenaki poet Carol Willette Backofner and the inclusion of indigenous language throughout the anthology. While these writings range in tone and scope, all share an energy that embraces the personal as political and overwhelmingly implore the reader as to why these voices are not a part of curriculum, government, and widespread culture.

I highly recommend this anthology to anyone and everyone no matter what their discipline, reading experience, or exposure to Native American literature. It is a rich and rewarding anthology that deserves attention and inspires action.

[Kate♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5stars

For Native American studies in grad school

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic anthology, and I think it's an excellent way to learn more about New England Native American tribes, their cultures, and their art. Especially since there is a general attitude of "there aren't any Native Americans here," this book not only counters that idea, but shows with a wide variety of types of literature things I certainly never knew about Native American life and culture. I think the book is laid out perfectly in being arranged by tribe, and then sorting the different authors chronologically. Within each tribe we see the progression of language or subject matter over the decades, and (from a broad view of the tribes) you are able to get a clear sense of the overall feeling of the tribe in question. I found this very interesting in comparing the tribe's writing to their living situation--which tribes have a defined reservation versus which do not; which are dealing with poverty more heavily than others; etc... Not only that, but there are a wide variety of types of literature recognized in the anthology, including some more traditional ones like poetry and short stories, more political ones like speeches or letters, and some that may even raise the question of "does this count as literature?" such as a dictionary of a tribe's language. In including such a wide variety of writings, this book is able to provide some really fascinating insight into Native Americans of New England. As I've lived in New England my whole life, I found it even more interesting/exciting seeing words I knew, but didn't know much about (e.g. growing up in Connecticut and knowing that Mohegan Sun was a short drive away, but knowing virtually nothing about Mohegans themselves; camping as recently as last summer in the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire, and here being able to read the writings of Kancamagus himself). The authors represented in this book have written with passion that is often unseen in a body of literature, as they are truly speaking from the heart, and are often writing about their own lives/experiences.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve lived in New England almost my entire life. Raised in Connecticut, college in Vermont, summer camp in Maine, theater festivals in Massachusetts. Indigenous language is omnipresent (Saugatuck River, Canp Androscoggin, Mattabesset trail, Qunnipiac Medicine) yet Indigenous people are explained away.

Their stories are told for them, starting with the “Thanksgiving feast” and maybe ending with the acknowledgement of Mohegan Sun Casino (with an unspoken and dark middle that we’d rather not discuss).

What does it say about this corner of the world that this collection of Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Abenaki, Nipmuc, Wampanoag, Narragansett, Mohegan and Schaghticoke voices telling their own stories reads as a radical act?

It’s time for New Englanders to stop seeing racism as a southern problem, native persecution as a western frontier problem and immigration as a southern border problem. It’s time white New Englanders understood our complicity in our country’s history and those it has oppressed as well as our responsibility for building a more representative and inclusive future.

As the writers in this necessary volume continue to tell us: they’re still here. It’s time for us to listen to the original inhabitants of this land. Only then can we make peace with our history and take action towards building a more perfect nation.

[Mihku Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book, as it is really one-of-a-kind and includes excellent depth and breadth of content.
I especially like the way sections are introduced with some historical context and the fact that Indigenous community editors participated in selection of material.
For most of my life, I have felt, as a Maliseet writer, that our literature has been buried or given short shrift.
This book speaks to that personal and historical reality, and I view it as bright point of light and a harbinger of good things to come.
One of the things I also appreciate about this book is that it includes so many different types of material.
It's important to understand that literature is not just a sonnet, or a piece of crime noir. It is story, the voice of a people, and as such would naturally include many forms and styles of expression.
I believe that Siobhan Senier understands this, and champions it. We must begin, as Amerindian people, to
develop our own canon. And this book is one fine stone in that foundation.

[Karla Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming soon to https://www.spiritboundpress.com/lite...

The easternmost coast of Turtle Island, commonly known as North America, is where the sunlight of the new day is seen first by the Indigenous peoples who have called it home for centuries. Sometimes referred to as Dawnland, it is there that some prophesy that a new era of justice and peace will begin. This stunning anthology honors the Dawnland and the survivance of Native peoples who have always been there and continue to live and thrive on the land.

Chosen by Native community editors, the contemporary and recovered contributions include poetry, essays, transcribed oral works, histories, and stories that represent Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Abenaki, Nipmuc, Wampanoag, Narragansett, Mohegan, and Schaghticoke communities. Editor Siobhan Senier offers an informative explanatory introduction in which, among other important points, she calls attention to the editorial violence done to Indigenous writers in the past (and present) and how she worked to avoid this manifestation of colonialism.

The result is a groundbreaking collection of voice, experience, wisdom, and wonder that readers will return to again and again. From Chief Stephen Augustine’s (Elsipogtog First Nation) sharing of a Mi’kmaq Creation Story to museum educator Linda Coombs’ (Aquinnah Wampanoag) account of the bi-cultural and historically accurate Thanksgiving exhibit at Plimoth Plantation and ending with the first published poems of Garry Meeches, Jr. (Schaghticok/Ojibwa), this is a powerful and glorious volume. Be sure to visit the Dawnland Voices online literary magazine edited by Mihku Paul (Wolastoqey)

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, my favourite book ever written. It is an enlightening perspective into indigenous writing from early contact onwards. It deeply changed the way I understood indigenous issues.

[Lizzy Fogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful combination of classic and modern works from intelligent Natives across New England

[Beth Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book and have new authors to follow as a result. It feels like it should be required reading for all New Englanders.

[Slendernose]

Did not read cover to cover—favorite pieces are logged in camera roll (November 1st 2023)

[Mills College Library]

810.80897 D271 2014