“Christianizing” and “Indigenizing”

Abstract

While scholars have wondered why Lucy Thompson appears to have “Christianized” Yurok mythology by revising various stories from the bible, this chapter asserts that Thompson is not necessarily endorsing Christianity, but attempting to connect with white audiences in a language familiar to them. Through her discussions of Yurok religion, Thompson provides guidelines for a future generation of Yurok practitioners and, in doing so, demonstrates compelling reasons for the Yurok to return to indigenous spiritual practices rather than adopting Christianity. Finally, Thompson also illustrates how Yurok people experience their spiritual teachings directly from the landscape, emphasizing that Yurok land is the essence of their spiritual practice.