How to Write About Native Americans with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer {ep. 143}

Alexa's Publishing Chat

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.)