SIX MOOSE FACTORY CREE LIFE HISTORIES: THE NEGOTIATION OF SELF AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CULTURE

Abstract

<p>Life histories, considered as simultaneously cultural and personal documents, are used to discern the patternlng and individual variation within culture. Six Moose Factory Cree life histories illustrate how Native individuals adapt to and accommodate cultural changes. Through an individual developmental. process, competence is acquired and biculturalism is achieved. The achievement of biculturalism, which incorporates the best from both cultural worlds, is considered as an adaptive strategy for ensuring personal and cultural survival. The usefulness of life histories outside the realm of anthropology is also considered and other modes of expression such as art, music, drama, all of which require language are suggested to be, like life histories, stories about the self and identity.</p>