How to Write About Native Americans with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer {ep. 143}
- Author
- Alexa Bigwarfe
- Published
- Wed 13 Nov 2024
- Episode Link
- https://podcasts.castplus.fm/e/4n92mwr8-native-american-writing-sarah-elisabeth-sawyer
In this podcast episode, we discuss:
- the importance of knowing how to refer to and write about Native Americans; terminology matters - differences between “American Indian,” “Native American,” and “First American.”
- Is it okay for authors who aren’t Native American to write about them?
- How to start researching a tribe's history and culture and whether or not you should approach a tribal community for researching their story
- How to build relationships so that you avoid common stereotypes in your writing
- Cultural sensitivity - for example, is it okay to say Happy Thanksgiving?
- Sarah's course designed to help writers authentically represent Native American characters.
(Special discount code for podcast listeners.)
Resources Mentioned:
- Five Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing About Native Americans – Free eBook by Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.
- Fiction Writing American Indians course: Available at fictioncourses.com/americanindians with the code “WIPFWA” for a $50 discount.
- Sarah’s book on Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I.
Important Links:
https://www.fictioncourses.com/americanindians
https://www.fictioncourses.com/stereotypes
https://www.choctawspirit.com
About Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer
As a tribal member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, she has written and published 17 historical fiction books with Native main characters, and over 275 non-fiction articles on Native artists and organizations with representatives from dozens of North American tribes. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian honored her as a literary artist through their Artist Leadership Program for her work in preserving Choctaw Trail of Tears stories, and she is a First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership alumni.
Discover more at www.fictioncourses.com/americanindians. (And don't forget your coupon code WIPFWA to save $50.)
