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Common Reading 2021-22: Listen. Learn. Act. Braiding Sweetgrass

A student research guide for learning more about the themes and topics in this year's common reading book. The guide has pages for listen, learn, and act -- each of the themes for the Common Reading.

Linguistics Librarian

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Jeff Staiger
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541-346-1897 | jstaiger@uoregon.edu

Immigrants came to these shores bearing a legacy of languages, all to be cherished. But to become native to this place, if we are to survive here, and our neighbors too, our work is to learn to speak the grammar of animacy, so that we might truly be at home.

Braiding Sweetgrass, Learning the Grammar of Animacy (p.58).

Animacy in Language

"Animacy, or the distinction between animate and inanimate entities, is so pervasive in the grammars of human languages that it tends to be taken for granted and become invisible."

The Ojibwe People's Dictionary

"The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary was established by faculty and students in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota [...]. You can [...] meet the Ojibwe speakers whose words and voices reach out to you through this dictionary. Each audio clip in the dictionary is marked with a speaker's initials and linked to their photos and biographies on the Ojibwe Voices page."

Books on Language

Organizations

UO Organizations

Common Terms in Native American & Indigenous Studies

Words matter and show understanding.

There is terminology that should and shouldn't be used when discussing or referring to Native Americans. This a very short list of frequently used terminology.

American Indian or Native American

According to the Native American Journalism Association, either is acceptable when referring to two or more people with different tribal affiliations. 

Indian Country

Indian Country is legally defined in Title 18 of the U.S. Code as any land within the limits of an Indian reservation, all independent Indian communities within U.S. borders, and all Indian allotments. It is also used to describe any Native-occupied space. The National Congress of American Indians offers, "[w]hen used appropriately, Indian Country takes on a powerful meaning, legally and symbolically, for all tribal nations. Indian Country is wherever American Indian spirit, pride, and community are found." 

Indigenous

Many organizations offer definitions of Indigenous or Indigenous peoples -- the United Nations, the World Bank, the World Health Organization. The Native American Journalism Association reminds writers to capitalize the I when referring to Indigenous peoples or nations to distinguish from informal uses of indigenous plants. animals, or flowers. 

Federally Recognized Tribe

Per the U.S. Justice Department, "Recognition" is a legal term meaning that the United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship with a Tribe and that a Tribe exists politically in a "domestic dependent nation" status. Federally-recognized Tribes possess certain inherent powers of self-government and entitlement to certain federal benefits, services, and protections because of the special trust relationship.

Currently there are 574 federally recognized tribes. In addition, there are tribes that are recognized by states that may not be federally recognized. The National Council of State Legislatures provides a list of federally and state recognized tribes

Tribal Sovereignty

Tribal sovereignty refers to Native American rights to self govern. The National Congress of American Indians offers information about tribal governance

The University of Oregon Libraries thanks Robbie Sittel for permission to reuse the “Common Terms in Native American & Indigenous Studies” information on the UNT Native American and Indigenous Peoples research guide. Robbie gives credit to the NAJA News Room's Reporting & Indigenous Terminology Guide for inspiring some of the content.

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Ways to Read or Listen to the Book

eBook Options

For those who would like to access an electronic version of the book. 

Print Copies

For those who would like a physical copy of the book. 

Audiobook Options

For those who would like to listen to the book. 

Audiobook on CD

Streaming Audiobook from EPL

Eugene Public Library logoEugene Public Library provides unlimited access to the eBook and eAudiobook on Hoopla and Library2Go (via the Libby or OverDrive apps) as well as the print book. Anyone who lives within City of Eugene limits can get a free library card!

Audiobook through Multnomah County Library

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Copies near OIMB at Coos Bay

Coos Bay Public Library logoStudents at UO's OIMB campus in Charleston may be able to get a Coos Bay Public Library card.

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If any of the available formats do not meet your needs, please email altformat@uoregon.edu with an accessible alternate format request that specifies your preferred format.

 


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