Luther Standing Bear's Individuality And Tribal Identity
Luther Standing Bear managed to preserve his individuality and tribal identity in many ways. One way was he said he never forgot his people. He “kept the language, tribal manners and usages, sang the songs, and danced the dances.” He also did not conform to learn how to smoke, chew tobacco, drink, and swear. Even when some of the native students returned home and could not speak their own language and were ashamed of it he never was. A way Zitkala-Sa tested the chains that bound her individuality was by criticizing the white man’s Christian beliefs. Not many natives criticize Christianity in their writings. She criticized the school teacher and said she blamed the “hard-working, well-meaning, ignorant women who was inculcating in our hearts