Writing tips for non-Indigenous writers wanting to write Indigenous characters? I want to be more inclusive in my writing and I love Native American folklore so I want to add characters like that without fetishizing or being offensive. TIA 😄
Asking questions like this is good! Please continue to do so. This is not an all inclusive list, of course, but here are some quick tips. If you have a specific Nation in mind, go to their Rez website! There’s likely resources available or a way to reach out to them.
I also want to add, please remember I’m no expert. I’m what we call an “Urban Native” and mixed. I’m applying things on how I personally feel, how my family feels, what I’ve learned about Cultural Appropriation vs Cultural Appreciation as an Anthropology major, and just someone who exists in the world.
1. Making a character sexy =\= sexualizing or fetishizing. You can have an Indigenous character be sexy respectfully. Just don’t play into the stereotypes for why Indigenous Peoples are sexy. Don’t refer to them as “Indians” or worse, for women/AFAB people, “Squ*w”. It’s a slur. I know old Westerns use it for Indigenous/First Nations women. Don’t.
Note: some Indigenous Peoples don’t mind being called Indian, and that’s their personal preference, which is fine for them. However, over all, it is a colonized and improper term that should avoid being used unless necessary to the plot for things like to show racism, complacency or ignorance. Like with all colonistic phrases or slurs, use it wisely and sparingly. A person of that race reclaiming a word doesn’t mean you can suddenly use it Willy Nilly.
2. Obvious, but don’t play into stereotypes. Not all Nations have long hair. Not all Nations used dream catchers, tomahawks or were adept at riding horses as soon as settlers came. If I see another story where there’s one Indigenous person and they’re the tracker of the group, I’m screaming. Indigenous men are not inherently violent. Stop making them that way. I love you, but looking at you, John and James Proudstar from Marvel
3. Be respectful of whatever folklore you’re using. To be honest, unless you’re apart of that culture, I wouldn’t use anything that’s seen as overly dangerous (Sk*nWalk*rs, RavenMockers ((yes even though I’ve written about them)), Spearfinger, etc) in general. Try to stay to things that won’t make your actual Indigenous readers feel like you’re trying to mock their beliefs. An Indigenous person can write about their own culture, history and beliefs to explore, learn and take liberties in a way that others really can’t. Maybe stick to beings like the Mooneyed People, Nunnehi/Nunne’hi, etc, who are neutral or even positive figures. Also, please don’t use sacred beings as your jump scare slasher villain without at least attempting to be somewhat accurate. Your creepy 8’ tall Slenderman with antlers and a deer head is not a W*nd*go.
Note: I personally recommend also not doing Thunderbirds without a lot of research. I obviously love them and write about them myself, but they’re so often misportrayed in media that it’s frustrating.
4. Remember, things have meanings!! If your character has an eagle feather split in half, why? If your character wears yellow face paint, why?? Learn what those things mean. Learn when they’re to be worn, how and why. Don’t just add it to look cool. You’re going to have a six year old little girl wearing war paint meant for the War Chief to a Harvest festival.
5. Don’t mix cultures unless it’s intentional. Yes, Wahzhazhe (Osage) and Ponca are in the same family. Yes, they are both Plains Natives. Yes, they’re both of the Siouan language family. They have similar customs, diets and even some ancient migratory patterns. They are not the same.
Some media that does well (in my opinion) with having Indigenous/First Nations characters:
1. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
2. Dances With Wolves
3. When Legends Die by Hal Borland
