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Hello Everyone!
I'm currently in the planning stages of a novel where a lot of themes I'm focusing on are about race, politics, and women's rights, comparing the past to today.
This story would take place in the early 1800s, and my main character is a woman of mixed heritage, a white mother and Native American Father. I myself am mixed raced (however my heritage is Peruvian and White), and am approaching a lot of my understanding of the character from that lived experience, in addition with copious amounts of research on Native Culture, and current issues Native women face in our society today.
There are some specific tenants of the story I'd like feedback on though in order to make sure my portrayal is respectful, and accurate, as opposed to tone-deaf or stereotypical. Please feel free to give feedback on any of the plot points below, I'd especially like to hear from Native women themselves.
-A major plot point for this character is she grows up in white society, isolated from Native culture, but is not accepted by white society either. A common experience of mixed race individuals. The focus isn't on her "rediscovering" Native roots by any means, but struggling with finding genuine acceptance in the early 1800s. Are there certain things I should be weary of-especially when it comes to how other Native people react to those of mixed heritage in this time period?
-Another major point involves witches, and this character becoming a witch. This witchcraft is not at all based in Native religion-but comes from Celtic/Druidic backgrounds, and features a coven of women from multiple racial backgrounds. I do NOT want to fall into the mystical Native stereotype or make the witchcraft seem to be a bastardization of Native culture/religion, hence why I'm basing it on British beliefs, and it is introduced to the character via a British immigrant-not from other Native characters. This point especially I would appreciate feedback to make sure I write this in a fashion that is not insensitive or stereotypical.
-Any other thoughts on women of color in the early 1800s or Native American (Specifically Mohawk Tribe) notions I should keep in mind when moving forward.
I'm currently in the planning stages of a novel where a lot of themes I'm focusing on are about race, politics, and women's rights, comparing the past to today.
This story would take place in the early 1800s, and my main character is a woman of mixed heritage, a white mother and Native American Father. I myself am mixed raced (however my heritage is Peruvian and White), and am approaching a lot of my understanding of the character from that lived experience, in addition with copious amounts of research on Native Culture, and current issues Native women face in our society today.
There are some specific tenants of the story I'd like feedback on though in order to make sure my portrayal is respectful, and accurate, as opposed to tone-deaf or stereotypical. Please feel free to give feedback on any of the plot points below, I'd especially like to hear from Native women themselves.
-A major plot point for this character is she grows up in white society, isolated from Native culture, but is not accepted by white society either. A common experience of mixed race individuals. The focus isn't on her "rediscovering" Native roots by any means, but struggling with finding genuine acceptance in the early 1800s. Are there certain things I should be weary of-especially when it comes to how other Native people react to those of mixed heritage in this time period?
-Another major point involves witches, and this character becoming a witch. This witchcraft is not at all based in Native religion-but comes from Celtic/Druidic backgrounds, and features a coven of women from multiple racial backgrounds. I do NOT want to fall into the mystical Native stereotype or make the witchcraft seem to be a bastardization of Native culture/religion, hence why I'm basing it on British beliefs, and it is introduced to the character via a British immigrant-not from other Native characters. This point especially I would appreciate feedback to make sure I write this in a fashion that is not insensitive or stereotypical.
-Any other thoughts on women of color in the early 1800s or Native American (Specifically Mohawk Tribe) notions I should keep in mind when moving forward.