In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

BOB — University of Nebraska Press / Page 74 / / So You Want to Write about American Indians? / Devon Abbott Mihesuah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 [First Page] [74], (1) Lines: 0 to 22 ——— -0.59978pt PgVar ——— Normal Page * PgEnds: Eject [74], (1) chapter six Ethics in Research and Writing Many nonfiction scholars writing about Natives know that if they plan on focusing on Indians, especially if they are writing about cultural issues such as religion, then they must secure permission from that tribe before trying to publish their work. If you (whether you’re Native or non-Native) plan on writing about Hopis, for example, you should be prepared to be told by the tribe’s Cultural Preservation Office (http://www.nau.edu/ hcpo-p) that your topic is not approved. Why is this? Hopis have been victimized for decades by unscrupulous filmmakers and researchers who use sensitive tribal information (such as religious aspects) for their own benefit. Despite the tribe’s attempts to ban cameras from their ceremonies, many people still sneak cameras,video cameras,and tape recorders into the villages.As a result, the Hopis have banned all non-Hopis from most of their ceremonies. Weary of being written about in endless stereotypical and incorrect ways, many other tribes have also created their own research guidelines . Conversing and Listening If you are writing about Natives, you must talk to them. Traditionally, tribes passed their histories and stories verbally. Many Natives today still uphold those traditions and are well aware of their history and culture. A major controversy raging through Native Studies today is between non-Natives who believe they can adequately write about Natives without talking to them and Natives who are appalled that anyone can claim accuracy just by researching a tribe’s history in the library. The issue is complex and volatile, and it is not the purpose of this book to discuss it in any depth. However, it is up to the author to take it upon him/herself not only to secure permission to write about sensitive/familial topics but also to talk to the tribal people themselves to get their perspectives on the issue. 74 BOB — University of Nebraska Press / Page 75 / / So You Want to Write about American Indians? / Devon Abbott Mihesuah ethics in research and writing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 [75], (2) Lines: 22 to 38 ——— 12.10022pt PgVar ——— Normal Page PgEnds: TEX [75], (2) Guidelines to Follow In 1991 I chaired nau’s Native American Research Guidelines and Advisory Committee, a group of five scholars charged with researching the problem of knowledge appropriation and ethical transgressions when researching and writing about Indians and then creating guidelines to assist scholars who wish to write about tribes. To give an indication of how controversial these types of guidelines are, consider that the university never instituted them because of pressure from powerful faculty who believed they could (and can) write about Indians in any way they want. Because even (white) members of the committee did not want to include too many guidelines that gave tribes power over what research can be conducted on them,I expanded the guidelines. Tribes believe they should be used and many tribes have in fact used these guidelines to create their own. As an author of Native topics you must read them and use them. 1. Only the tribes’ elected political and religious leadership should review and approve the research proposal. Many writers believe that because they have talked with “an Indian” that this one voice is all they need to legitimize their work. As you have read repeatedly by now, not all Indians are alike, and each tribe has its own tribal political leadership and tribal religious leadership. Many Indians know absolutely nothing about their tribe’s history or culture and have no business giving out information, much less granting permission to use that information. 2. Researchers should remain sensitive to the economic, social, physical, psychological, religious, and general welfare of the individuals and cultures being studied. Since contact, non-Natives have misunderstood Natives. The newcomers considered themselves to be“civilized...

Share