Preserving Native American Culture through S...

Preserving Native American Culture through Storytelling and Chippewa Myths in Louise Erdrich’s Tracks

Author Name : Professor Brajesh Sawhney

ABSTRACT In her 1988 novel Tracks, Louise Erdrich skillfully transcends conventional narrative bounds, offering a profound exploration of Chippewa struggles to preserve land and heritage. Beyond a mere portrayal of events, Erdrich intricately weaves storytelling into the fabric of human existence, embracing the traditional "Indian way" where narratives shape reality. The alternating perspectives of narrators Pauline and Nanapush provide a dual lens on the Chippewa experience, delving into the complexities of cultural identity. Erdrich's narrative strategy, featuring multiple voices, underscores storytelling as a performative and formulaic cultural tradition. The novel asserts that storytelling extends beyond writing, emphasizing the preservation of an oral tradition. Erdrich's achievement lies in capturing oral storytelling's essence, integrating myth, and preserving cultural traditions within a narrative style.