Rez dog (short for reservation dog) is usually a term for outdoor, stray, and feral dogs living on Native reservations in the United States and Indian reserves in Canada.[1] The term has taken on many connotations, and has to some extent become an emblem of and metaphor for reservations/reserves, life on them, and indigenous North Americans in general. For example, a "rez dog" may refer to a resident of indigenous lands.[2]
 A rez dog at Canyon de Chelly | |
| Other name(s) | Rez |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
The distinction between a rez dog and dogs in general is often seen as emblematic of the difference between indigenous and majority culture ways of life.[3] Untended dogs roaming indigenous lands cause problems that the communities must deal with.[4][5] The dogs are generally thought of as mixed-breed and unsupervised.[6]
In commerce and literature
editA clothing company, "Rez Dog Clothing", has adopted the persona of reservation dogs.[7][8]
The narrator of two chapters of Antelope Woman, by novelist Louise Erdrich, is described as being part Ojibwe reservation dog, part Lakota dog, and part coyote.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mary Ludington (2007). The Nature of Dogs. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-4287-2.
- ^ Bruce Elliott Johansen (2007). The Praeger Handbook on Contemporary Issues in Native America: Linguistic, ethnic, and economic revival. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 337. ISBN 978-0-275-99139-5.
- ^ Mary Annette Pember. "Rez Vignettes: The Good Life of a Reservation Dog". Daily Yonder.
- ^ Linda Thornton (2006-08-14). "UNM-Gallup Professor Copyrights Plans for 'Rez Dog-Proof' Solar Oven". University of New Mexico.
- ^ Miles Morrisseau (2000-02-09). "From the editor's desk...No tears for the Rez Dog Maggie". Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25.
- ^ Jeff Horwich (2003-02-06). "Cultural broadcasting: Radio show a rare outlet for Indigenous voices and music". Minnesota Public Radio.
- ^ Elizabeth Camacho Wiley (2003-01-31). "Norman, Okla.-Based Clothing Entrepreneur Logs Miles, Hours to Push Line". The Daily Oklahoman.
- ^ "Rez Dog Clothing Company Takes Bite of American Indian Apparel Industry". Indian Country Today. 2003-02-12.
- ^ Peter G. Beidler and Gay Barton (2006). A reader's guide to the novels of Louise Erdrich. University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-8262-1671-7.