How Do You Spell SURVIVANCE?

Pronunciation: [səvˈɪvəns] (IPA)

Survivance is a term used to describe the ongoing presence and resilience of Indigenous cultures in the face of colonialism. The spelling of this word reflects its French origins, with the "v" replacing the English "f" in "survivance". The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is sərˈvaɪvəns, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "ə" represents a schwa sound and the "aɪ" represents a diphthong vowel sound made up of "ah" and "ee".

SURVIVANCE Meaning and Definition

1. Survivance is a term derived from the combination of the words "survival" and "resistance" that originated in Native American contexts. The concept of survivance encompasses the ideas of resilience, persistence, and cultural revitalization in the face of colonialism and oppression. It goes beyond mere survival and emphasizes the active presence and agency of Indigenous peoples in reclaiming their identities, histories, and ways of life.

   Indigenous survivance involves the continuous negotiation of a dynamic space between traditional ways and contemporary realities. It is an assertion of Indigenous sovereignty and resistance against forces that seek to erase or marginalize Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems. Survivance highlights the importance of Indigenous peoples' self-authorization to define their own narratives and determine their own futures.

   This concept rejects the notion of Native Americans as passive victims of colonization and instead celebrates their active participation and contributions to contemporary society. It recognizes the role of storytelling, art, language revitalization, and cultural practices as forms of resistance and resurgence. Survivance is also deeply rooted in the connection to the land, honoring ancestral knowledge, and the intergenerational transmission of cultural values.

   Overall, survivance encapsulates the strength and determination of Indigenous peoples to maintain their cultural distinctiveness, resist assimilation, and reclaim their rightful place in the world. It represents an ongoing struggle and triumph over adversity, as Indigenous communities strive to navigate the complexities of the modern world while honoring their ancestral heritage.

Common Misspellings for SURVIVANCE

• aurvivance
• zurvivance
• xurvivance
• durvivance
• eurvivance
• wurvivance
• syrvivance
• shrvivance
• sjrvivance
• sirvivance
• s8rvivance
• s7rvivance
• suevivance
• sudvivance
• sufvivance
• sutvivance
• su5vivance
• su4vivance
• surcivance
• surbivance

Etymology of SURVIVANCE

The term "Survivance" is derived from the French word "survivre", which means "to survive". It was coined by Anishinaabe writer and activist Gerald Vizenor in the 1990s to describe the ongoing resistance, resilience, and creative flourishing of Indigenous peoples in North America.

Vizenor wanted to capture the essence of Indigenous survival, not solely as a response to colonization but as a testament to the continuous existence and vibrant cultural expressions of Indigenous communities. By combining the words "survive" and "resistance", Vizenor created "Survivance" to emphasize the active agency and persistent cultural presence of Indigenous peoples.

The term has gained prominence within Indigenous literary and cultural studies, providing a counter-narrative to traditional notions of "survival". It emphasizes that Indigenous peoples not only endure but also thrive and assert their cultural identity against oppressive forces.