Depends who you ask.

People say pow wow of course. Some people say beadwork or some other craft. Some mention being there for the elders. But most everybody in a joking way will say frybread.

What is native culture where you are from? Your people.

What differs from the pow wow culture that comes around every pow wow?

Hi,

Please forgive the intrusion in to your subreddit - I hope you don't mind; I'm hoping I can get some feedback on something I'm working on, if you have some time.

I'm doing some worldbuilding at the moment for a series of stories that may or may not ever see the light of day. The stories are science fiction, set in a system where various ancient peoples from earth have been settled on separate habitable moons of a planet, and now (much time later) have advanced technology. I have fairly solid ideas for most of the characters and the cultures they inhabit, and am in the process of trying to establish the history and origins of those cultures. One of these cultures seems, as far as I can tell, to only really fit with what little I know of the pre-colonial peoples of North America - but, as a Scottish man, I am painfully aware that what I know of the pre-colonial people of North America doesn't amount to much.

Obviously, I don't want to make stupid assumptions based on hideously distorted stereotypes - I'd much rather create from truth, and in the hope that my story, if ever read by someone descended from one of the cultures I draw inspiration from, would ring true and be recognizable.

So, would it be permissible to ask some questions here, or perhaps get a chat or two going to get some feedback, so that I can avoid offending anyone and craft a more believable world? Primarily, if possible, I want to ask a few questions about language and historical culture, and set out some of my ideas/plans for the culture of my world to see if it rings true.

Please let me know if you think you can help - or tell me to take a hike, if preferable :)

​

TIA

In what ways are the Navajo stories in conflict or consonance with historical explanations of migration from far north of the continent to Dinetah in the southwest?

I am pretty sure this is the wrong place to post this and if that is case please forgive my presumption.

I am an author that writes fiction. I am working on a novel in which local people’s Magic’s were powerful enough to drive off the European invasion and heal the sick of the diseases they brought . So the tribes and people’s of North and South America were able to develop independently into their own version of modern nation-States by the year 2020 when the story begins and they are modern nations amongst the most advanced in Magic and technology. I’ve done a lot of research to base this on and (please don’t blast me for this) studied cultural anthropology specializing in Alaskan Native Cultures. I want to base this in the Nation of Lakota covering their traditional lands and having one of the major cities on the continent and in the world on the edge of the Black Hills which is a sacred spot and all such places are wellsprings for magical energy that with the right alterations can power any type of magic. Each sacred site also has powerful, but strange First People’s, who existed before humans and are unique to every site except for their great power and that they are guardians of it. To take the magic, deals must be made. In this world the Black Hills are one of the most powerful magical sites.

I realize I am already playing fast and loose with indigenous beliefs, but like any author I’m producing something that is part real and part straight out of my imagination.

However, especially concerning the Lakota People, but concerning all the indigenous peoples of what got named North and South America, I would like some guidance so I can avoid having it be inadvertently insulting. I have no desire to have the finished novel be full of insults out of my ignorance.

I would like it if someone can help me in imagining a modern nation or nations that reflects more truly to what could happen in six hundred years of development on your own. I’m not even sure what name to give to the continent that doesn’t come from some Italian mapmaker that never set foot here, but what the indigenous people might decide to call it, any advice is appreciated. I will be finishing and attempting to publish the novel, but I really would prefer it was something the indigenous community approved of instead of hating it. In spite of my “book” knowledge and I am sure that without the help of aware and knowledgeable first peoples it won’t have the respect I want it to and I hope someone is willing to help me or point me in a direction where I can find the aid I need.

Thank you for giving me your time.

Come join us over at /r/IndigenousNationalism for open discussions where EVERY opinion is welcome!