The aspects of Native American culture can be examined in many parts. The previously studied book, “The Lakota Way” by Joseph Marshall III breaks the culture into 12 separate values; while this piecewise analysis of Native American culture can work well to describe the complexities of the culture, Kent Nerburn is able seamlessly integrate aspects of Native American culture into his book, “Neither Wolf nor Dog.” Nerburn displays the past and present aspects of promises, forgiveness, and respect in Native American culture with his interactions with Dan, a Native American elder.
Kent Nerburn received a call that would later lead to him to making a promise to a Native American elder, Dan, that he would write a book for him, later becoming, “Neither …show more content…
At the time Nerburn couldn’t understand why Dan had done this, Nerburn was ready to head home to his family. As Nerburn started to leave, his truck had broken down, leaving him stranded on the reservation. This forced Nerburn to tag along with Dan on an adventure and just record the stories and events that took place on the adventure. Unaware at the time, Nerburn’s truck had probably broken down because of Dan; this is because Dan noticed that Nerburn was ready to give up and knew that if he had the motivation, Nerburn could write the book that he needed. Dan knew from a history of Native American/white-dominate interactions that Nerburn needed a kick in the pants to keep his promises. Dan had told Nerburn, “We signed treaty after treaty. We got promises after promises. What did it get us? Nothing.” (Nerburn, 1994, pg. 218)Without the help of Dan, Nerburn would have broken his promise to write the book just like his ancestors had broken all of the promises that the treaties made. The treaties and promised the Black Hills to the Native Americans and then the Black Hills were taken away in 1877. (Class notes- March 7, 2016) The treaties …show more content…
(Class notes- March 7, 2016) Even the incoming white settlers were able to respect the Native Americans to an extent: Lewis and Clark would let Sakakawea make decisions, even though she was a native and a woman. (Class notes- March 7, 2016) As time progressed, the white-society lost respect for Native Americans, shown in the promise of assistance programs and then failing to fund the programs that might actually help. (Class notes- April 11, 2016) Even during these times, the Native Americans were able to respect the white-dominate society by showing nonviolent activism. (Class notes- April 25, 2016) The strong ability of Native Americans may be due to their capacity for silence. In Native American culture, silence can be used to respect nature, the earth, and others. In Nerburn’s book, Dan notes that, “We Indians know about silence,” he said. “We aren 't afraid of it. In fact, to us it is more powerful than words.” (Nerburn, 1994, pg. 65) Dan also tells Nerburn about how Native Americans would also use silence to communicate with the settlers, “Our elders told us this was the best way to deal with white people. Be silent until they get nervous, then they will start talking. They will keep talking, and if you stay silent, they will say too much. Then
Kent Nerburn received a call that would later lead to him to making a promise to a Native American elder, Dan, that he would write a book for him, later becoming, “Neither …show more content…
At the time Nerburn couldn’t understand why Dan had done this, Nerburn was ready to head home to his family. As Nerburn started to leave, his truck had broken down, leaving him stranded on the reservation. This forced Nerburn to tag along with Dan on an adventure and just record the stories and events that took place on the adventure. Unaware at the time, Nerburn’s truck had probably broken down because of Dan; this is because Dan noticed that Nerburn was ready to give up and knew that if he had the motivation, Nerburn could write the book that he needed. Dan knew from a history of Native American/white-dominate interactions that Nerburn needed a kick in the pants to keep his promises. Dan had told Nerburn, “We signed treaty after treaty. We got promises after promises. What did it get us? Nothing.” (Nerburn, 1994, pg. 218)Without the help of Dan, Nerburn would have broken his promise to write the book just like his ancestors had broken all of the promises that the treaties made. The treaties and promised the Black Hills to the Native Americans and then the Black Hills were taken away in 1877. (Class notes- March 7, 2016) The treaties …show more content…
(Class notes- March 7, 2016) Even the incoming white settlers were able to respect the Native Americans to an extent: Lewis and Clark would let Sakakawea make decisions, even though she was a native and a woman. (Class notes- March 7, 2016) As time progressed, the white-society lost respect for Native Americans, shown in the promise of assistance programs and then failing to fund the programs that might actually help. (Class notes- April 11, 2016) Even during these times, the Native Americans were able to respect the white-dominate society by showing nonviolent activism. (Class notes- April 25, 2016) The strong ability of Native Americans may be due to their capacity for silence. In Native American culture, silence can be used to respect nature, the earth, and others. In Nerburn’s book, Dan notes that, “We Indians know about silence,” he said. “We aren 't afraid of it. In fact, to us it is more powerful than words.” (Nerburn, 1994, pg. 65) Dan also tells Nerburn about how Native Americans would also use silence to communicate with the settlers, “Our elders told us this was the best way to deal with white people. Be silent until they get nervous, then they will start talking. They will keep talking, and if you stay silent, they will say too much. Then