Chrystos uses choice metaphors to ridicule everything the American culture represents. He also positions his words to enforce his position. The poetic form opposed to the narrative form creates a strong, straight to the point, statement, as if the author does not want to have to spend anymore time talking to the dominant culture than he needs to. His message is clear, "his desire", on paper......... [JL 2001]

I find this poem interesting because to me, it sounds like Chrystos is saying things to us that we as Americans say to immigrants. This is exemplified when Chrystos’ says "Go somewhere else and build a McDonald’s" That is similar to remarks that "Americans" say everyday about people, like Pakistan people and convenience stores. It is a slap in the face, a wake up call if you will, maybe we need to watch what we say because at some point in time our families were immigrants. But it is interesting to note that we have discussed that immigrant literature is positive and this is clearly a minority whose literature is not positive at all. The example or idea discussed in class about a possible double meaning between U.S. standing for us or the United States is intriguing. Clearly Chrystos does not believe that there ever was or ever could be an us. [anonymous red 2001]

This quote came from Chrystos’s poem "I Have Not Signed a Treaty with the United States Government." Chrystos is an American Indian, so she is reacting against all of the immigration that has been occurring for the past 500 years or so. The class objective that is most appropriate for this poem is Cultural Objective 1a. "To compare and contrast the immigrant narrative with the minority narrative." Chrystos is describing immigration as the "American Nightmare" for American Indians that is described in our syllabus, whereas all the immigrants see their immigration as taking part in the "American Dream." . . . [DT 2001]

"I Have Not Signed a Treaty with the U.S. Government" written by Chrystos . . . "We revoke your immigration papers" speaks to the reality that we are the immigrants and they are the natives. The treaties that were signed were not done with their full knowledge and understanding. We stole their land and put a worthless culture in the place of open free land. This contrasts with the American dream of acceptance in the poem "Immigrants" by Pat Mora who seeks to be assimilated and fears rejection. In this poem the family has wanted to be here in opposition of the Indians who did not want us here. [Anonymous Blue 2001]

Chrystos, "I Have Not Signed a Treaty with the United States

Government," UA 304

This poem is an excellent example of the minority experience of native Americans. As Chrystos tells us, her people did not choose to become a part of the "American dream," in fact, they have been excluded from it by forced isolation on numerous reservations. They have lived the "American Nightmare." Native Americans were already on the soil that the dominant culture of immigrants now calls home.

The passage you have chosen contains so many thought provoking and emotionally charged words that I will focus on just a couple of them. Chrystos' use of the word "you" really gets to me- she is REALLY speaking to me, not just my ancestors. . . . [PK-A 2001]

. . . It imparts the anger the Native American people have toward the white settlers and their descendants. The Native Americans were not immigrants, but the original people of the United States making them a minority. As Malcolm X would say, they did not land on Plymouth Rock, but Plymouth Rock landed on them. [LR 2001]

I find this poem interesting because to me, it sounds like Chrystos is saying things to us that we as Americans say to immigrants. This is exemplified when Chrystos’ says "Go somewhere else and build a McDonald’s" That is similar to remarks that "Americans" say everyday about people, like Pakistan people and convenience stores. It is a slap in the face, a wake up call if you will, maybe we need to watch what we say because at some point in time our families were immigrants. But it is interesting to note that we have discussed that immigrant literature is positive and this is clearly a minority whose literature is not positive at all. The example or idea discussed in class about a possible double meaning between U.S. standing for us or the United States is intriguing. Clearly Chrystos does not believe that there ever was or ever could be an us. [anonymous red 2001]

The theme of the "American Nightmare" is being explored quite effectively in this piece. Cultural Objective 1a is applicable to this poem, which effectively describes the social contract of Native Americans with the United States. It was a contract that the Native Americans were forced to sign, and the language and style of the piece emphasize their unwillingness. You can almost hear the weariness in the author's voice as he says, "go home we're tired."