So You Want to Write about American Indians? A Guide for Writers, Students, and Scholars

by Devon Abbott Mihesuah
University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE
(2005)
164 pages — ISBN 0-8032-8298-2
Paperback $16.95

Review by Philippina Halstead

Devon Mihesuah (Choctaw), professor of applied indigenous studies and history at Northern Arizona University, has authored numerous books, including Indigenous American Women: Decolonization, Empowerment, Activism (2003).

For any writer this guide provides an invaluable overview of racism, cultural appropriation, stereotypes, ethics, and other do’s or don’ts. It covers the challenges and pitfalls of writing about American Indians. Mihesuah also includes bibliographies of other authors who explore the current controversies over writing about Natives.

This book’s concise information and tips, which range from developing ideas to negotiating a book contract, make it a must-have for libraries and anyone writing a thesis, article, or book about American Indians.

Philippina Halstead is a freelance writer and artist in Atlantic City, WY.