My father's name was Zahtah: Constructing the life history of Alfred Chalepah, Sr.

Abstract

This work examines the life history project of an elderly Native American man. Narratives were recorded during four years of fieldwork. Analysis examines the ways in which elders construct their own identity and draw past experiences into the present. Additionally it presents the cultural history of the Plains Apache, integrating historical records with the narrative experiences of a single tribal member. By recording his version of historic events, the narrator taps into dominant systems of information dissemination and secures a place for one Apache voice. Through the collaborative biographical process, indigenous peoples are able to construct self and community identity, challenging hegemonic understandings.