#native writing

(CONT.) hey! i read ur post on magical realism and since i’m dealing w/ a similar topic in a class, but am not native myself, i have a question. if i, a non-native american person, have to write abt texts written by canadian indigenous writers, i don’t feel it’s okay for me to refer to the “mythical” elements of the stories as “realism”, bc i feel like that would be me talking abt their belief systems as my own, which is not okay, right? but if i say it’s “mythical elements” of the story, then i’m talking abt an element from the story in a way it was not originally meant to be talked abt. so how do i do this in a way that is respectful towards the culture i am writing about? do i explain i’m talking abt things that are realistic whithin the culture i’m writing abt, or is that bad too? bc i am talking abt smth that is not a part of my history or identity, and i’m not sure how to approach the subject that’s not mine to talk abt at all, but which i have to write abt bc of the class.

First of all, I’m so sorry it took me so long to get back to you about this! Thank you so much for this thoughtful message! Right off the bat, just know that you’re starting off on the right foot because it’s evident how much care and respect you’re treating the subject matter and writers with. And of course, like you said in one of your follow up messages, I’m not an expert and can’t speak for all indigenous people or even anishinaabe people (again, you’re already heading into this with such a thoughtful and respectful and conscientious attitude that I’m sure you’ll handle everything really well.)

I’ve been thinking about this since I got back from my trip away (no internet, hence the delay) because I wanted to give you the thoughtful response that this deserved. It’s a really good question tbh!

After some thought, (and again, these are my feelings and opinions on the matter and may not be shared by other members of native communities) I think that establishing language usage early on in your paper/project might help. Like if you want to use the words like “spiritual,” “magical,” “possessing powers,” etc. (because in the Native worldview, some things could accurately be described as those things and that’s not necessarily mutually exclusive with “realistic) to refer to some aspect of the writing/story, then take a sentence or two to explain what it means in the context.

Also, I feel it’s perfectly okay to explain or state outright that X thing is thought of as being literal or X belief is held as truth by a certain group. That way, you’ve set up the framework for a non-native audience to show them how the group themselves view certain aspects of these writers’ works from their own perspective. Stating that certain things are a literal/material aspect of a group’s belief system could even help you write about it better because you’re helping any non-native readers understand how you’re approaching analyzing the material.

Honestly, the amount of thought and effort it’s clear that you’ve put into thinking about how you’re treating the subject matter and writers shows how respectfully you intend to proceed engaging with the materials you’re writing about. In the vast majority of cases, people who write very shittily about any kind of marginalized group or ethnic group aren’t nearly as concerned about making sure to be respectful. As long as you show the same amount of thoughtfulness it seems like you’re already going into this with, I’m certain you’ll be writing about the topic well.

from crazy brave, by joy harjo. some excerpts that caused me pause and/or hugged my heart — "Though I was reluctant to be born, I was attracted by the music. I had plans. I was entrusted with carrying voices, songs, and stories to grow and release into the world, to be of assistance and inspiration. These were my responsibility. I am not special. It is this way for everyone. We enter into a family story, and then other stories based on tribal clans, on tribal towns and nations, countries, planetary systems, and universes. Yet we each have own our individual story to tend." "Truth does not lower itself to small-time arguments or skirmishes."  "… if you do not answer the noise and urgency of your gifts, they will turn on you. Or drag you down with their immense sadness at being abandoned."

"Though I was blurred with fear, I could still hear and feel the knowing. The knowing was my rudder, a shimmer of intelligent light, unerring in the midst of this destructive, terrible, and beautiful life. It is a strand of the divine, a pathway for the ancestors and teachers who love us."

http://www.frederick-design-pewter.com/html/native_designs.html  I was given a necklace with the Raven design. It's so lovely. :3

My mom's going to get "Where Mary Went" by Lynne Sherry Mclean. It's signed, too!

And my sister's getting the graphic novel "Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws; Bear Walker" by Chad Solomon and Christopher Meyer. Signed by the artist!