A Question of Identity in the Life and Works of Sat-Okh (Long Feather)

Abstract

Sat-Okh (Stanisław Supłatowicz) was an Indian-Polish writer who popularised the culture of North American Indigenous People in Poland during the Cold War and afterwards. His incredible biography evokes questions about the nature of his identity. Born of an Indian chief and a Polish mother around 1922 in the territory of Alberta, Sat-Okh grew up as a Shawnee. When his mother decided to return to Poland, he followed, but until his death in Gdańsk in 2003, Sat-Okh consistently identified with his Indigenous heritage. During WWII he escaped from a train to Auschwitz and joined the AK (The Home Army). He became famous for numerous books and short stories about his life with the Indians, which were translated into many languages. He was also strongly involved in the Polish-Indian Movement and promoted the culture of his native ancestors. This paper aims to present the life and work of Sat-Okh with regard to his mysterious identity. Recently, there has been some doubt whether Sat-Okh's biography is genuine. However, I would like to argue that Long Feather's phenomenon proves the fact that regardless of whether he was a true Shawnee or not, Sat-Okh chose to identify himself as Indian and consistently presented himself as one. He taught Poles about Indian traditions and gained a tremendous respect which has lasted until today.