Writing About a Culture That’s Not My Own
When I decided to include an Indigenous storyline in my historical novel, I had a lot of decisions to make about how, why, what, and most importantly, who am I to write this?
I have no problem writing about European men coming over to America to log the Sierra Nevada. Nor did I feel strange introducing a Chinese logger or Black cowboys into my novel because it’s through the point of view of my Euro-American main character (and I’m of European descent). But to write a parallel storyline from the point of view of a Wá∙šiw (Washoe) person is a bold choice I have made.
In this newsletter, I’m going to break down who, what, why, and how I came to the decision to write characters from the point of view of a culture that is not my own.
Why I Chose to Add a Wá∙šiw Storyline
When I ask myself why I wanted to add a Wá∙šiw (Washoe) narrative, I made a pros and cons list. The risk is being accused of, or actually perpetuating, cultural appropriation. This could mean exploiting, making money from, disrespecting, reinforcing stereotypes, contributing to oppression, perpetuating misunderstandings, not crediting sources, and otherwise borrowing items from someone else’s culture for personal gain.
When I Wrote a Draft & It Wasn't Inclusive, I had to think about what I wanted a historical novel about Tahoe to do. Why was I even writing this? I wanted to write a novel about Tahoe’s deforestation in the 1860s but realized that only including fictional loggers’ points of view was not a complete story.
Not including the Indigenous People of the area would be another form of whitewashing. It risks further erasing their story from history because the Wá∙šiw People are, have always been, and will continue to be intimately connected to the Lake Tahoe region.
Excluding them would be like writing about a fish without mentioning water. Birds without air. Roots without soil. Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem has been managed by the Wá∙šiw People since the beginning of time. When colonizers showed up less than 200 years ago as loggers, miners, and ranchers, and began privatizing then stripping the land of its most valuable assets, the land and her caretakers suffered deeply.
What I Decided to Do
About 5 years ago, I wrote a proposal as professionally as I could, outlining my novel and explaining how I would like to include the Wá∙šiw (Washoe) perspective. I wrote an introduction of who I am, what my intentions are with this book, and chapter outlines (1-2 sentence summaries of each). I sent this proposal to a contact I had at the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California’s Culture/Language Resources office and waited.
Two people responded and we began what became a multi-year conversation. Some of the most notable comments I received over the years are these (I’m paraphrasing since nothing was recorded):
“Most people don’t ask permission. They just write about us anyway.”
“I’m surprised you kept coming back. I honestly thought after our first meeting you’d publish your book and we’d hear about it later.”
“Most people just tick the box, say they made the effort, do their land acknowledgement, and move on.”
“We’re not here to teach you about our culture. Not everything is appropriate to share or talk about outside our community.”
“I can only speak for myself and my own experience. I don’t speak for everyone in the tribe.”
By choosing to send a proposal I was, in a way, asking permission. I wanted to make the Wá∙šiw (Washoe) storyline as genuine as possible without overstepping or being disingenuous. I am constantly aware of the line I am toeing between cultural appropriation and good historical research.
Those in the Washoe Tribe’s Culture/Language Resources office who chose to engage with me have graciously answered my questions, were cautious but welcoming, and even created unique Wá∙šiw names for characters in my novel. They supported my desire to add Wá∙šiw words throughout the novel to further instill the important connections between language and land.
How I Wrote About a Culture That’s Not My Own
During early conversations with members of the Wá∙šiw (Washoe) Community, I felt uncomfortable asking culturally private and sensitive questions. I also asked some really dumb and insensitive questions. They were patient with me and I learned a lot.
I did my research and read dozens of books. I studied edible and medicinal plants in the Sierra, and I read about Indigenous Nations throughout America. Then I did the hardest part: turning that research into fiction…
Am I the right person to write this story?
When I realized I’d only written half the story, I had a choice: Either play it safe and only include the Euro-American colonizers storyline because that is my heritage, that is my lane. Or risk cultural appropriation by inventing Wá∙šiw characters to the best of my ability and portraying what life was like in Tahoe before and after colonization.
I thought about this for years. I took the comment, “It’s not our job to educate you” to heart. After years of reading, listening, and research, I knew one thing for sure: I could not publish the book I had written that was only about Euro-American loggers.
So who am I to write this book? I’m a person doing my best to convey the facts I’ve learned through fiction. And when I look at my pros and cons list for this project, I believe the risks are worth the reward.
Will I Profit From This Book?
Probably. If not in Pulitzer-prize-quantity dollars, then in professional opportunities like speaking engagements, job positions, authorship and notoriety. And this could very well be called cultural appropriation. It may be another form of colonization.
This is a risk I do not take lightly. I often consider how sharing my meager book earnings could help the Wá∙šiw People regain access to their ancestral homelands. What’s more likely is that my work will increase awareness and respect for Lake Tahoe’s history and the Wá∙šiw (Washoe) People from the thousands of residents and millions of visitors who come to Tahoe every year. And who knows what sort of difference that will make.
Ask: Who, What, Why, How?
For those of you wanting to engage in a culture that’s not your own, whether that’s through land acknowledgements, research, displays, or storytelling, I suggest asking yourself these questions first:
Why do I want to add this culture to my story?
Am I the right person to write this?
Is my writing taking away from, or taking the place of, more authentic voices?
Have I taken the time to do my research?
Have I engaged with the actual people whose history I’m wanting to learn more about?
Once I sorted through these questions for myself, I decided to move forward and to include a Wá∙šiw storyline because it will only make my book stronger.
This month, I’ve completed yet another round of edits and am even more confident that I’ve written a fair, honest, respectful, and inclusive novel. Next steps remain to find an agent who believes in this project as much as I do.
Additional Resources:
If you’re curious about where to start, especially as we’re halfway through Native American Heritage Month, here are some resources I recommend:
Native-land.ca – Learn whose land you’re visiting or residing on through this interactive map.
High Country News - Subscribe to this fantastic journal about the American West that covers land management practices and other thoughtful topics.
Read books by Indigenous authors like those shown below. And please buy from your local bookstore or Bookshop and stop giving your money to Bezos.
Relevant Posts:
Here are some other posts I’ve written that you might like:
Meghan, the newsletter post is valuable to me as a White Settler in a border town of the Wind River Reservation (located in the West Central portion of the US State, Wyoming). Gratitude for the thoroughness and standard of attention in both content and taking the time. The humble approach resonates with me. Yes, High Country News is a fabulous periodical. A reframe of colonization in the US is also in the book, "The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History" by Ned Blackhawk. Grateful to have found your Substack.
It was very powerful to read the comments from the Washoe people included in this post. Thank you so much for sharing those voices. Can’t wait to read your book as always :)