Wynema

A Child of the Forest

Author: S. Alice Callahan
ISBN: 9780803263789

Originally published in 1891, Wynema is the first novel known to have been written by a woman of American Indian descent. Set against the sweeping and often tragic cultural changes that affected southeastern native peoples during the late nineteenth century, it tells the story of a lifelong friendship between two women from vastly different backgrounds-Wynema Harjo, a Muscogee Indian, and Genevieve Weir, a Methodist teacher from a genteel Southern family. Both are firm believers in women's rights and Indian reform; both struggle to overcome prejudice and correct injustices between sexes and races. Callahan uses the conventional traditions of a sentimental domestic romance to deliver an elegant plea for tolerance, equality, and reform. "Callahan takes on the role of a 'woman word warrior, ' creating 'strong-hearted, ' intelligent heroines and sensitive heroes who educate her audience about Muscogee culture, Indians' and women's rights, and the mutual respect between the sexes essential

Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
Publish Date: 1891

Subjects: Social Science / Ethnic Studies / Native American Studies, Fiction / General

This book is available in the following Community Centers: Women's Center (Location: Fiction)