Writing POC 101

First Nations Characters - @eIites

Hi, my name is Afina (@eIites), and I am First Nations. First Nations refers to the status and non-status indigenous peoples of North America. If you're thinking about writing a POC into your story, please consider writing a First Nations character. Just like many people have said before me about writing POC characters, we are not who we are because of our heritage. While there are some First Nations people who are shaped by our culture, there are some who grew up independent of it, like me.

Here are some tips for writing First Nations characters:

[1] Write us into stories that take place in modern times.

All the stories and movies that I've seen or read that have First Nations characters are told around the colonization of Canada as if we ceased to exist after a certain period of time.

[2] Regarding the LGBT+ Community

There is a term in the First Nations community that we use to describe people who are part of the LGBT+ community - and it has been part of our teachings since before the colonization of Canada . This term is Two-Spirited or Two-Spirit.

http://www.dancingtoeaglespiritsociety.org/twospirit.php

There is a link to where you can read more about this subject.

However if your character is not First Nations, do NOT describe your character as Two-Spirited.

[3] Stereotypes

The whole Indian Princess thing is not cool. There is no such thing as an Indian Princess because First Nations people do not have royalty. That whole stereotype was created as a way to make First Nation women more appealing to White men.

Not all of us live on reserves. I live in Vancouver, a decently sized city in Canada. Some of us do, but you would need to do some research on the matter.

We don't all hunt for own food. I'm a vegan, and my other friend (who is also First Nations) is a vegetarian. (I was asked once where I hunt for food. Seriously.)

We are NOT all lazy. There are so so many First Nations stereotypes that include laziness. My friend (the one I mentioned above) and I are part of an academic program that is a lot harder than regular public school. I'm not saying that First Nations people should be written as math wonders or anything, just that this stereotype is not always accurate.( I once had someone tell me that the only reason I got into that school program was because they had to let me in because I was First Nations.)

Not all of us are drunk.

During the colonization of Canada, First Nations youth were stolen from their communities, told to abandon their heritage, abused emotionally, mentally, physically, and all in the name of making First Nations more White. So while not all of First Nation people are drunk, the ones who use alcohol are hurting, maybe don't have the resources to get help, or just trying to cope. I'm not making an excuse for people who are alcoholics; I'm just trying to explain to you why that stereotype exists.

We are not Indian, we are First Nations, or Aboriginal, or Native.

There are probably a million other stereotypes, but these are some that have affected me personally.

[4] First Nations Struggles

You do not have to write about a character's struggle growing up First Nations. Yes, it can be hard, but First Nations people are so more than just our struggles and stereotypes. If you need help with this, PM me or do some research on your own time.

[5] Appearance.

We do not always "look" First Nations (whatever that means). I am probably a bad example because I have olive skin and prominent cheekbones, but not all First Nations look like me. There are plenty of First Nations who have light skin and light hair, and they are just as valid.

[6] Be respectful.

Honestly, we just ask that you are respectful when writing First Nations characters.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions regarding First Nations characters, don't hesitate to message me.