A coyote in the outer world

Abstract

"A coyote in the outer world" is an observational exploration by an American Indian about the influences of culture change upon his own ancient Navajo traditions since 1868. The colonial model of an authoritarian bureaucratic state of faceless disempowered citizens serves as the abrupt change-agent for native and native American culture since circa 1780. Observations, opinions and culture specific models exemplify the culture-specific oral traditions contained in the complex mythologies, interpersonal theosophies and wisdom of the Navajo's kin-based community. Also included are strategies for self-definition that help distinguish between and revitalize one's ancient ancestral and contemporary historic oral traditions. Conveying American Indian perspectives about culture based self-definition in the United States reiterates that the Coyote is actively utilizing methodologies appropriate to his native perspective and acknowledges the dearth of scientific buttressing of culture specific observations.