Support for Indie Authors discussion

M.L. wrote: "Well, we sure don't want to do a disservice to the whole world, that's for sure! :)"
M.L., you made me laugh.

W. wrote: "If you can use a scene, a dialogue, an emotion from an obscure corner of the world you have humanized the reader..."

I'm with you there. I believe it can be great to add influences from all kinds of different cultures. I just also think cultural appropriation is a real thing and there are nuances to different relationships between cultures that one must be aware of. Totally didn't mean to say that authors should refrain from using certain cultures as influences, as you said that would be silly, but my point was to be aware that there are different histories and power-relationships involved when using different cultures.

As C.J. mentioned, it's all about respect.

And this whole thread is kind of about the "how" to use those influences in a respectful way, not stopping people from using them.

Hi T, did you ever hear back? Just asking because I researched California tribes and there is not a lot of detailed online info, but there are many, many tribes. I don't know if you're monitoring this discussion but if you are, it would be great to hear.

A good resource for Dine is Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. Fiction from the inside.

I'll add to my 'resources' here (above). :) Also by Rebecca Roanhorse is "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience." This is a short story that won the Nebula and Hugo awards. It's telling for how it looks at respect and lack of it.

The reason this is interesting to me is because when researching individual tribes, not only is there not that much for many of them (as far as online) but Native American authors are underrepresented as well. So if you are looking for information and can't find it, go to the authors who do know, such as Roanhorse. She also has an active online presence and 'one thing leads to another.'

Another on respect and some orgs that may be helpful. November is Native American Heritage month and so the topic is more visible now.
There is the Native American Heritage Month site, nativeamericanheritagemonth-dot-gov.: This has a calendar of events and more info, a 'teacher' tab.

The National Congress for American Indians, ncia.org. This has an 'Ending the Era of Harmful Mascots,' among lots of other useful information. NCIA looks big enough to, if not give direct answers, at least be able to give referrals.

The problem with one or two individuals giving an opinion is that they don't have the authority to speak for the group (unless it is something really awful and obvious), and if the group is really big, it gets kind of corporate and corporate takes forever to make a decision. And even then, I doubt if they would until they have seen the specific work, so almost back to square one, but a better-informed :) square one.

This is all part of research and I find research to be fun. :)