The history of printing in Native American culture shows how different forms of media have been used for centuries to preserve their culture and spread ideas.
The work I will examine from the premodern period is the Two Row Wampum. It served as an early form of communicative media before print existed and symbolized an agreement between Native Americans and European settlers.
For the early modern period, I researched the first edition of the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper from 1828. It marked a significant evolution in Native American journalism and print. As the first newspaper produced by Native Americans, it became a vital platform for political activism and social advocacy, addressing issues directly impacting Native communities (LaCourse 34).
In the contemporary era, literature like Tommy Orange’s novel “There There” continues to reflect and shape the narrative around Native identity and experience. The evolution from wampum belts to contemporary novels highlights the evolving nature of Native expression.
Credits
Marley Meyer