ABSTRACT
The plural use of “literatures” allows for a recognition of the many ways in which stories were and are shared across Indigenous communities and also highlights the presence of many tribal nations and communities and their distinct literary and cultural expressions. Prior to the violent interactions and shared cultural exchanges that occurred due to the colonization of the Americas by Spanish, French, English, Dutch, and many other cultural groups, Indigenous peoples expressed stories and traditions through visual, written, and oral methods. An inter-American approach to the study of Indigenous literatures must emphasize the manner in which oral literatures contribute to and shape distinct cultural and historical moments. The European explorers’ narratives fueled fantasies that led to voyages by “Pilgrims,” other explorers, and self-proclaimed pioneers in search of resources or lands to exploit in the name of Christian salvation and culturally imperialistic notions of civilization.
