1. ROMANCING KINSHIP.
- Author
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Rifkin, Mark
- Subjects
- *
QUEER theory , *EDUCATION of Native Americans , *DAKOTA (North American people) , *KINSHIP , *HETERONORMATIVITY , *COMPULSORY heterosexuality , *LGBTQ+ studies - Abstract
The article discusses "American Indian Stories," by Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), from the perspective of queer theory. The author argues that "American Indian Stories" is a queer text that chronicles American sexual history, critiques federal Indian policy for its compulsory heterosexuality, and relates to the Sioux social identity. Dakota Indian education focused on kinship rules while the U.S. education policy under Indian affairs commissioner, Thomas J. Morgan, emphasized "individualization" and standardization of the boarding school system in the late 1800s. The views of Cathy J. Cohen and Will Roscoe are mentioned in the discussion of the United States' Indian policy, heteronormative society, indigenous sex and gender diversity, and "heterosexual binarism." The family structure and social network described in "American Indian Stories" are examined, including the role of "winkte" men.
- Published
- 2006