LITR 5731: Seminar in American Minority Literature
University of Houston-Clear Lake, fall 2001
Poetry Presentation Index

Poetry: Chrystos, "I have not signed a Treaty with the United States Government"

Poetry reader / discussion leader: Chris Lucas

Discussion recorder: Rachel Boyle

Chrystos was born in San Francisco, Ca in 1946. Her father was a Menominee Indian, her mother was Lithuanian. She grew up in the city rather than on a reservation. Because of this she considers herself to be "Urban Indian." Since 1980, she has been living on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

She is a self-taught writer and artist. She is an award winning poet. Her works are political and powerful. While she is active politically, she shuns the titles of "voice" or "spiritual leader" for the Native American people.

Her poem I have not signed a treaty with the United States Government takes a very different stance from that of other Native American writers. In this poem she asserts her rights, and that of her people, to original land ownership. Land ownership is not a concept of Native Americans, but she uses it to make her case in a language the dominant culture can understand. She refuses to "ride off into the sunset" as a "noble savage." Her poem reminds us in no uncertain terms that the aboriginal people were here long before the Europeans and they continue to survive today.

Discussion questions:

1. How does the poem present a case for Voice and Choice? (Objective 1B)

2. What are the authors opinions on written language? What does this say about assimilation and resistance? (Objective 4)

Notes: "I have not signed a treaty with the United States Government" by Chrystos.

Chris- Chrystos's father was Menominee and mother was Lithuanian. She is self educated writer who is politically active as well as being a lesbian. Her poetry is powerful and vocal. She often speaks out against the silent suffering of Native Americans.

Student comment: She seems to be repeating the same things we told them (Indians) when we moved them to the reservations. "Crafty, Savage" the author turns this language right back at the reader.

Student Comment: I saw US like U.S., it’s neat how this is emphasized, like a double meaning.

Student Comment: She emphasizes things in capital letters. Her tone is very argumentative and she uses fragmented sentences. She makes it clear that this is her land. "Go Away."

Student Comment: She refers to prior contact. There was no U.S., There is a "white" idea of America. An attempt to assimilate different cultures.

Dr. White: Unlike other minorities, there are no Native American restaurants that I know of.

Student Comment: Native American's were never "introduced" The whites forced themselves on the Native American's.

Dr White: There is ritual of introduction.

Student Comment: US is a theory- an illusion for the Native Americans.

Student Comment: The section of the poem where it talks about "we signed no treaty..." There were several treaties, but the Government kept backing out of them. It was viewed a manifest destiny

Chris: What is her opinion of the written language? She seems to distrust written language. For example, she talks about treaties and libraries. Additionally, there is no grammar, she appears to be rejecting almost everything in the English language.

Student Comment: She has a stereotypical way of speaking which is captured in her method of writing. This poem is in her own voice. "take these words back with you."

Student Comment: How did Native Americans learn English? They were forced to communicate that way.

Dr. White: ½ of Native American languages are extinct. The languages are perishing. Some communities continue their languages.

Student Comment: The Mcdonald's reference is interesting, It is a symbol of westernization and capitalism. They are everywhere. Almost everyone can identify with what she is saying.

Student Comment: Through school the Indian culture has been changed. They were taught to leave their Native American culture at home. They were brainwashed, "whitewashed."

Dr. White: Contrast the Native American experience with that of other minority cultures. Immigrant cultures were absorbed. Native Americans were basically run over. It was a nightmare instead of the American dream.

Chris: Conclusion- I was struck by her position and attitude of authority. It is different from other writers that we have read this far in the course, most notably Black Elk.

Dr. White: The tone is in contrast to Black Elk. Black Elk conforms to the vanishing romantic image. It suits us to think of them in this way. The poem rejects this idea and confronts us. "You are on our land."