Peter Blue Cloud (Aroniawenrate) , 1935-

Mohawk

Blue Cloud was born to the Turtle Clan of the Mohawk tribe on the Caughnawaga Reserve in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada. He is noted for combining Native American myths with contemporary issues. He has worked as ironworker, logger, carpenter and woodcutter and was previously associated with journal Akwesasne Notes and the journal Indian Magazine. Blue Cloud is especially noted for his use of the Coyote figure in his stories and poems. His books of fiction, non-fiction and poetry include "Alcatraz is not an island", 1972; "Back then tomorrow", 1978; "White corn sister", 1979; "Sketches in winter, with crows", 1984; "Elderberry flute song : contemporary coyote tales", 1989; " The other side of nowhere : contemporary coyote tales", 1990; "Clans of many nations : selected poems, 1969-1994", 1995.

Peter Blue Cloud is an honorary member of the Edge-ucation Council. Blue Cloud is noted for combining Native American myths with contemporary issues. He is especially noted for his use of the Coyote figure in his stories and poems Awards and Honors: American Book Award, before Columbus Foundation, 1981.

“Crazy Horse Monument” by Peter Blue Cloud

Literary Objectives:

Objective 1a: “Involuntary (or forced) participation” –The Cherokee

were forced to participate in the Trail of Tears

Objective 1b: “Voiceless and choiceless”

Objective 3b: “Loss and Survival” the

Interpretation:

In this poem, Peter Blue Cloud uses vivid natural imagery to portray the historical event of The Trail of Tears which took place in 1838-1839. The Sioux (Cherokee Nation) were forced from their land by the United States government. Crazy Horse was born in 1842 and became a great war-leader of the Sioux. The Crazy Horse Monument was built next to Mt. Rushmore after Indian Chiefs in the Black Hills of South Dakota wanted the “white man to know the red man has great heroes, too.”

Blue Cloud is moving back and forth in time in this poem. He speaks of the Trial of Tears, Crazy Horse’s response to the way his people have been treated historically, and questions what Crazy Horse would think about his likeness being etched in stone. He is long remembered, but would he want the face of a mountain destroyed; will the monument outlast the memory of his heroics in the eyes of his people?

In 2004, Karen Daniel says that Blue Cloud seems to feel that Crazy Horse would be less than thrilled with the monument that has been erected for him, and perhaps feels that remembering their pain and plight would be a better memorial to the great chief.

Questions:

1. Blue Cloud uses many historical references in the poem. How do you think this ties-in with his Native American heritage?

2. Three times in the poem, he uses the refrain. What does this tell us about the importance of these words? What does it contribute to the meaning of the poem?

3. How does the author make you feel about “loss and survival” of his people through his use of vivid images (spotted snake, frozen blood upon the white snow, cold steel chisel, crumbled glories) , and what does he feel the future holds in store?