Final answer:
Kiowa culture and history deeply influence personal identity by intertwining narrative, art, and a transformative model of identity that is both inward and outward. Such factors shape personal trajectories and encourage the preservation and understanding of one's cultural heritage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The culture and history of the Kiowa tribe have had a significant impact on shaping personal identities, including that of authors such as N. Scott Momaday. The Kiowa people's connection with their history is vividly seen through their art, such as the use of ledger art to record battles and events with an emphasis on accuracy and community verification. Artists like Teri Greeves adapt traditional Kiowa beading techniques to modern objects like tennis shoes, thereby telling cultural stories and connecting with their heritage in innovative ways.
Anthropologist Luke E. Lassiter's collaborative studies in Kiowa communities show the deep cultural engagement that can influence an individual's trajectory, leading to lifelong dedications to cultural preservation and understanding. Similarly, the preservation of oral histories that encapsulate both moral lessons and historical records, such as the Wasco people's flood tales that align with geological events, show the intertwining of narrative and identity. These tales are more than just stories; they represent a people's understanding and explanation of the world around them.
Moreover, the Pueblo's concept of identity illustrates how Native identity is rooted in both place and time. The transformative model of identity suggested by this view reflects a continual journey that is both inward and outward, tied to land and community. This cultural understanding profoundly shapes how individuals like Momaday perceive and interact with their world.