Who, even in North America, really knows how long-standing is the tradition of writing among Native Americans? It all started long before N. Scott Momaday's triumph in the late 60s. Borne of his predecessors have finally been made known, but others still suffer in long obscurity. Here are a few, studied in depth, often by those very scholars whose passionate labors brought them back to life. After the pioneer years of editions-though much here remains to be done, as LaVonne Brown Ruoff insists in her illuminating overview-after the necessary anthologies, the time is ripe for fresh studies. The essays collected here celebrate the continuity, consistency, and indomitable vitality of Native American writing.