Blue Cloud, Peter

Facsimile Handwritten Manuscript: "Coyote's Discourse on Power, Medicine, and Would-be Shamans"

n/p: n/p, n/d. First Edition. Stapled Sheets. "And with all this I'd like to add that I've never yet met a person of power (except myself) who gives themselves titles such as medicine person, power-person, or shaman. Even within a tribe or nation, the people know who to see for their particular needs, so why give them titles?" (pg. 7) This 9-page facsimile printing of a handwritten manuscript by the esteemed & award-winning Native American/First (Mohawk) Nation Canadian poet-folklorist, Peter Blue Cloud (Aroniawenrate, 1933-2011), features one of his “Contemporary Coyote Tales” that would later be printed in his book Elderberry Flute Song (see our item no.s 7755, 7759), which was originally published in 1982. An address is printed at the top edge of the first page, and below the title is written “(recorded by Peter Blue Cloud),” giving the impression that this was a dictation of a performance or presentation. Blue Cloud contributed to the development of this modern style of adapting Native folktales and storytelling styles to be set in modern society, and the event at which the archetypal “Coyote” would be speaking is reminiscent of the many poetry readings and literary gatherings that the Beats and Baby Beats would host and participate in. This story concludes with Blue Cloud’s poem “Coyote, Coyote, please tell me,” which is his first credited poem featured in Joseph Bruchac’s Songs from This Earth on Turtle's Back: Contemporary American Indian Poetry. From the archive of Thomas Rain Crowe (b. 1949), the acclaimed American poet who was at the center of the Baby Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance during the 1970s. The TRC archive was acquired, assembled & curated by Third Mind Books as a single item (see our item No. 1010), & its vast number of individual pieces are now being offered incrementally throughout this new year of 2025. The TRC archive collectively represents the entire legacy of the BBG/SSFR, & its critical collaborations-mentorships by the key figures of the original Beat Generation/ San Francisco Renaissance. See also Starting From San Francisco (item No. 3071), published by TMB, to obtain a thorough understanding of this important literary phenomenon from TRC himself. Stapled sheets: presumed first edition, first-&-only printing, privately distributed among friends pre-publication. In relatively fine condition with mild creasing through center of pages horizontally where previously folded; mild bumping to the fine edges and corners with mild creasing to top left stapled corner; the staple itself is slightly rusted, which has very mildly stained the paper around; mild foxing to the front of first page and along crease line on page of last page; mild age toning; imprint/rust-print of a paper clip present in two places near top edge of back of last page. Fine. [Item #7700]

Price: $65.00