In the chat I advocated for authors who are Native.
Right away--as usual--a white writer posed a question about white writers, asking the First Read host if authorship of a book matters.
Not surprisingly, First Book said that authorship does not matter. Diversity of characters is what they're after. That's the answer you get from, I'd guess, every publisher.
I persisted, though, because I do think it matters. Here's why:
Just about every book a kid picks up has white people in it. And, just about every book is written and illustrated by a white author or illustrator. For literally hundreds of years, white kids have seen themselves reflected in the books they read, and they've had the chance to see people who look like them as writers and illustrators of those books. By default, they've been able to see a possible-self. By default, they could imagine themselves as the writer or illustrator of that book. It may not have been a conscious thing, but it was the norm. The default. The air they breathe. Every day.
I want that for Native kids. I want them to see books written and illustrated by people who look like them. I want them to be able to think "Hmmm... I could be a writer, too, just like Cynthia Leitich Smith!" or "Hey! I could be an illustrator, too, just like S. D. Nelson!"
I understand that white authors and illustrators feel threatened by my advocacy, but my advocacy is for Native children who deserve the same affirmations white kids get all the time.
I'm closing this post with a tribute to Native writers and illustrators. That tribute is photos of them. They are in no particular order. I'll keep adding to this gallery, because I don't have time right now to be comprehensive. I'll do my best, and I welcome you to write to me to let me know to add someone I've missed. Each person's tribe is beneath their name. If there are errors, I apologize, and please let me know.
American Indians in Children's Literature
presents
A Gallery of Native Writers and Illustrators
Cynthia Leitich Smith Muscogee Creek |
Michael Lacapa Apache, Hopi |
Louise Erdrich Turtle Mountain Chippewa |
Eric Gansworth Onondaga |
Nicola I. Campbell Nlel7kepmx, Nsilx and Metis |
Tim Tingle Choctaw |
Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve Lakota Sioux |
Richard Van Camp Dogrib |
Arigon Starr Kickapoo |
S.D. Nelson Standing Rock Sioux |
Beverly Blacksheep Navajo |
Sherman Alexie Spokane/Coeur d'Alene |
Lee DeCora Francis, and her boys Penobscot |
Simon Ortiz Acoma |
Joseph Bruchac Abenaki |
Cheryl Savageau Abenaki |
Donald Uluadluak Inuit |
Jan Bourdeau Waboose Nishnawbe Ojibwe |
Daniel Wilson Cherokee |
Joy Harjo Mvskoke |
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