Gender in the Native American Term Paper

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However, although his identity is false, the goodness he has done for the Native population is true, and although he has lied about his past, his lies have not hurt his community, rather they have been a source of healing. The priest's goodness while a priest, however, is one reason why he finds the dissemblance of members of his community so frustrating. In contrast to the life-sustaining lies of Father Damien, that help others with the fullness of a community-sustained myth or holy legend, Sister Leopolda, a nun on the reservation, has made a claim to have Christ's stigmata simply to secure her own sainthood for selfish reasons, in a way that divides the community. She lies in a form that sustains gender stereotypes of women needing to physically suffer to serve as well.

This is one reason why Father Damien believes the woman's actions are evil as well as disingenuous. Agnes/Father Damien feels strongly enough about Sister Leopolda's deception that the ancient sage is willing to reveal all, or at least to risk all in speaking about the pat. This willingness to come clean is especially moving, not simply because it is a huge risk for this important religious figure who has played such a vital role in the life of the tribe.


The actions of Father Damien over the course of his life illustrates that gender is not a purely sexual matter -- it permeates every facet of a person's life, including their spiritual life. But Agnes' assumption of identity is not that she has found her true self, by assuming the constructed identity of a male religious figure. Rather, her plurality of assumed genders has given her added spiritual insights that have become assets fro her tribe. By telling a lie, or spinning a myth, a greater truth is created, rather than reaffirming lies about female spiritual, physical suffering.

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https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/gender-native-american-59527