I write a column for my writing chapter's quarterly newsletter called "Keeping It Real". It's my goal to keep those annoying little misconceptions and inaccuracies out of a story that cause the author to lose credibility and consequently readers. This interview is my second installment and I decided to make it more intimate by using the traditional Q and A format. The subject of this issue is the treatment of Native Americans in writing. For this discussion I turned to a Native American friend and businessman, Gary La Pointe of the Rosebud Lakota Sioux. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do when listening to his stories, and they are amazing and wonderful.
Q. What do you feel are the biggest misconceptions
that Non-Native Americans have about Native
Americans?
A: There are two. The first is that Native Americans
don’t exist as a contemporary culture, but only as a
“history book relic”, instead of being a vibrant
culture. The second is that all Native Americans
are the same, meaning they speak the same
language, share the same cultural beliefs, practices
and so forth.
don’t exist as a contemporary culture, but only as a
“history book relic”, instead of being a vibrant
culture. The second is that all Native Americans
are the same, meaning they speak the same
language, share the same cultural beliefs, practices
and so forth.
Q: If you could change anything about how Native
Americans are portrayed in novels & entertainment,
i.e.,TV, movies, etc. what kinds of things would
they be?
Americans are portrayed in novels & entertainment,
i.e.,TV, movies, etc. what kinds of things would
they be?
A: When a tribe is portrayed, writers tend to take a
lot of creative license and pull cultural aspects
from many different tribes (such as a dance from
one tribe, a song from another, etc.) thereby
losing the cultural integrity of the tribe being
portrayed and therefore the accuracy of the story.
In “Dances With Wolves” Kevin Costner speaks in
a “feminine” Lakota accent, which would not be
used in real life. In another movie, Apaches
speak in the Lakota language, to name a few
examples.
lot of creative license and pull cultural aspects
from many different tribes (such as a dance from
one tribe, a song from another, etc.) thereby
losing the cultural integrity of the tribe being
portrayed and therefore the accuracy of the story.
In “Dances With Wolves” Kevin Costner speaks in
a “feminine” Lakota accent, which would not be
used in real life. In another movie, Apaches
speak in the Lakota language, to name a few
examples.
 |
| Me with Gary! |
Q: In the romance genre, heroes are often portrayed
as strong people who tenaciously hold fast to their
personal values/honor code/ beliefs to the point of
self-sacrifice to others. Some are burdened with
the baggage of past failures and others are in
desperate need of redemption-although they don't
deliberately attempt to claim it. Can you think of
any Native Americans past or present who fit these
descriptions?
as strong people who tenaciously hold fast to their
personal values/honor code/ beliefs to the point of
self-sacrifice to others. Some are burdened with
the baggage of past failures and others are in
desperate need of redemption-although they don't
deliberately attempt to claim it. Can you think of
any Native Americans past or present who fit these
descriptions?
A: A majority of (Lakota) leaders fit that bill, and
those that don’t are the ones who have attempted
to assimilate with the white culture.
those that don’t are the ones who have attempted
to assimilate with the white culture.
Q: What are some of the most important traditions do
you hold fast to in your Lakota culture?
you hold fast to in your Lakota culture?
A: These keep me sane:
- The Pipe & it’s teachings.
- The Vision quest - also known as “crying for a
vision”. Pronounced “Hanblehcheya” in Lakota.
vision”. Pronounced “Hanblehcheya” in Lakota.
-The Sweatlodge - which cleanses and purifies.
It's a physical and emotional baggage purging
with sharing & fellowship is at its core.
The entire process is about 6 hours in total, and is
a community effort from set-up to take down.
The rules for it are not the same everywhere, but
they are typically more rigid within tribes.
a community effort from set-up to take down.
The rules for it are not the same everywhere, but
they are typically more rigid within tribes.
Q: Let’s step away from fiction to discuss the real life
happenings of a tribe, what have been the recent
changes in your tribe/community?
happenings of a tribe, what have been the recent
changes in your tribe/community?
A: What hasn’t changed is more important. Resources
have not been fully utilized to improve the
community. Old mentalities continue to prevail so
that nothing ever really changes.
have not been fully utilized to improve the
community. Old mentalities continue to prevail so
that nothing ever really changes.
Q: How can someone learn more about the Lakota
Sioux/ Rosebud reservation in their quest for
accurate research?
Sioux/ Rosebud reservation in their quest for
accurate research?
A: Online reference material, but if you’re serious
about the effort, learning the language of a culture
really helps you to learn about the culture itself.
about the effort, learning the language of a culture
really helps you to learn about the culture itself.
Thank you to Gary for this insightful discussion. If you wish to learn more about Gary’s tipi business, check him out at the links below. Gary is also available for educational presentations at schools and other sites.
Great post! I write western historical romance but haven't yet had a Native American character (would be Paiute in my setting) exactly because of the accuaracy issue. The suggestion of studying the language is an excellent one. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis was a really useful and interesting post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacquie-you should write one in! I'm definitely going to use them in the future!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you stopped by Virna & found the information helpful! I honestly won't be able to watch "Dances With Wolves" anymore without thinking of this interview!