Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing By and About Indigenous Peoples

by Gregory Younging

Elements of Indigenous Style offers Indigenous writers and editors—and everyone creating works about Indigenous Peoples—the first published guide to common questions and issues of style and process. Everyone working in words or other media needs to read this important new reference, and to keep it nearby while they’re working. This guide

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction, Writing, Reference, History, Race, Research

168 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2018

About the author

Gregory Younging, a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, was the publisher of Theytus Books, the first Indigenous-owned publishing house in Canada. Elements of Indigenous Style began as the house style Gregory developed at Theytus. Gregory also taught in the Indigenous Studies Program of the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, and he served as assistant director of research to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Reviews

[Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm incorporating this entire book into our organization's communication policies and practices and will recommend it to my colleagues who write about our work in Indigenous communities in Canada.

This book is wayyyyyyyy more than a style guide. It is a window into relationships and the deeply troubled history between settler/colonists and Indigenous Peoples that are reflected in language. It holds a mirror up to settler/colonist attitudes and beliefs that lead to written communication that perpetuates oppression. It is a call for the need to ruthlessly scrutinize our words and our worldview, to stop and listen and think, and - in collaboration with those we are writing of and about - align (ally) our words with our ethics, integrity and commitment to reconciliation. It takes the notion of "nothing about us without us" and provides a roadmap for how to get there.

Deeply appreciated.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful guide about writing about and collaborating with authors who are Indigenous.

Some specific things I learned / was reminded of:

-There is no such thing as "Indigenous Literature": Indigenous people s have indigenous literature s

-Literatures by Indigenous people are NOT a subset of CanLit

-If you approach an elder for help, you should bring a gift. You can ask them what they want!

-Meaningful collaboration takes time. Avoid the impulse to rush to get things done.

-Use the terms oral tradition or traditional stories NOT legends, myths, tales, rituals

[Rebecca Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't the sort of style guide I was trained on--it's more something to read cover to cover than something where you just look up the page where your problem is referenced and get a simple answer. So I took the book for what it is and did read it cover to cover, and it really rewarded that effort--the issues it covered are really deeper and more complex than a quick consult could answer. This book offered me a glimpse of how much I don't know and ways that I should be looking to remedy that on every book I work on. I really respect Younging's approach and his thoughtful, well-researched, thoroughly readable resource. I think this should be required reading if you're going to work on books in Canada.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a student/researcher, I cannot believe I haven’t come across this book before now. It is such an important read not just for academics, but for everyone who seeks to understand the Indigenous Cultures in Canada (and I would argue, everyone should). It was very well written and a quick read.

[K.I. Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is important. Everyone in writing, publishing, media and communications, including students, should read it. And that’s just for starters.

[Mimika]

No rating as I read this for school. Very straight-forward and informative, and the language used was easy to understand. The principles listed out in the book are understandable, and clearly help the reader understand some key values and practices prevalent in Indigenous communities. The appendix was especially interesting (and frustrating) seeing how incompatible the Eurocentric ideas of property and ownership are with Indigenous worldviews.

[Eric Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendously helpful guide into helping anyone developing content with/for Indigenous People, and how to collaborate on projects.
The Appendix D: Gnaritas Nullius (No One’s Knowledge) was also exactly what I needed right now.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I never thought I’d enjoy a style book so much! The book is short, but has several must-read appendices! I learned so much about traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights!

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-reasoned guide to writing and editing. Younging works through 22 principles of approaching knowledge and representation with reasons for each principle. Appendices follow, including a reprint of the author's chapter from a scholarly compilation, which only somewhat relates to Elements of Style.

I have some concerns about principle 16 and the advice to italicize Indigenous words and how to approach a glossary, so I appreciate Younging's suggestion that this is just the first version of the book, which is open to revision.

[Freya Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and a must-read for anyone wanting to write about Indigenous Peoples. It is less like a style guide and more like an interesting book you can read cover to cover instead of only to look up certain things. There are 22 principles in all to follow including case studies of books you can check out that follow good practices. It's also easy to understand for people who don't have a lot of experience.

[Chris]

Much more than a style guide: Brief but comprehensive, educational but readable. A solid foundation for thinking about why and how to incorporate Indigenous style in your writing.

Thank you to Chelsea for an excellent recommendation.

Activism or social justice on the 2021 Seattle Public Library Book Bingo card

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who writes —or reads— in Canada should read this. I wish such a resource existed that would cover all of the Americas, but this is an invaluable place to start.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic resource. As an editor working with my first Indigenous client, this book is invaluable. I'm going to recommend it to all my clients and fellow editors as well.

[H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book, and one I'm very happy to add to my editorial library. This is more than a standard style guide. It does offer some directives on what terms to use and avoid, but these rules are ever-evolving and make up only a slim chapter of the guide. In addition, its first pages cover the history of injustice in Canadian publishing and the literary canon. It offers real-life case studies of active collaboration between Indigenous writers and non-Indigenous editors, interviewing multiple parties to reveal varied perspectives. Its first chapter of advice isn't about language usage at all, but about the actionable steps editors and publishers should take in regards to issues like copyright, crediting authors, and even what shouldn't be published (not everything encompassed by an oral culture belongs in text). Its Appendix D also offers a fascinating history of the origins of copyright in world publishing.

These are not abstract topics for people in the book world. I just edited an author who cited Oral Tradition, and I struggled on how to query regarding accreditation. This book, had I read it a mere month ago, would have helped me enormously.

While Younging wrote from a Canadian perspective, these best practices are mostly applicable to the United States as well. Very recommended for editors and publishers.

[Littleblackcart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend picked this up at the anarchist book fair in Victoria, which is not a great context for what is good about this book.

What it is: a native-friendly publisher's resource for how to be respectful and appropriate when working with native people, written (and compiled, as the author cites opinions and stories from many people) by a native author who works in publishing. Solid advice for business people, and a general how-to for people who want a primer on how to talk (and not talk) about natives.

What it is not: a--an appropriate play on the title of the classic Strunk and White book.
b--a sophisticated reflection on identity. For example the author notes that there is not actually one indigenous people, but uses that label throughout anyway. That seems indicative of the line being walked here. Unfair to think that such a short book, and one with a job to do, would be able (or intended) to address the complexity of peoples who are both genocided and still entirely alive and surviving. I guess that's one of the reasons we need Black Seed.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Are you seriously reviewing a style manual? Well, yes, but, in some way, the title belies the writing within. It is an outgrowth of Theytus Book's style guide, one of the early Indigenous publication houses, but it is more than that. Younging reflects on how Indigenous peoples have been treated in literature and in the publishing world, which is not a pretty picture. He also considers present practices which are problematic and how to create an environment where Indigenous writer's can legitimate expect to be heard and respected. It also gives a practice case studies and practical suggestions for how to move forward.

This book is really an important consideration for anyone who is interested in encouraging the unique voices which come from Indigenous writers. It is a warning for settlers like myself to get out of the way and respect even what I may not understand. It also gives practical examples of how to convey that respect in the way I write. It is an invaluable resource.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate this guide to writing about indigenous peoples. While designed specifically for authors writing about indigenous peoples in Canada, most of the 22 guidelines easily apply to works on other cultures. I have written some about Black Elk Speaks, back when I was writing teacher guides for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, and wish I had had this guide in those days.
Living in the Philippines now, specifically in the province of Pampanga, and learning my wife's first language, Kapampangan, I have begun writing short stories and a film scripts about life here. I will be working with local language experts to adapt these into guidelines for writing about the many language and cultural groups here. I'll also post the 22 guidelines in a separate post.

[Mook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good reference for anyone who works in copyediting/publishing with Indigenous authors. There's explanations and examples of how and when the standard rules do not apply and how to be respectful to Indigenous culture and knowledge.

I won't go into specifics; a lot is dependent on context and the process itself will change depending on who you are working with and what you are working on. However, for anyone who needs a guide on current best practices, you should definitely get this guide. Note this book is specifically referencing North American Indigenous Peoples, for the most part, as it relates to Canadian publishing.

[Catherine Milos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Younging, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, at a conference. He speaks and writes with understanding, experience, and wisdom. His unique experience as publisher and professor makes this book a must read for all authors, editors, and publishers. It will be a reference I return to both to inform my own work and as I work with authors' work. Also an effective guide to help identify and correct colonial ideology that seeps into our Canadian publishing world and our own lives.

[Maple Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide. I sat down planning to leaf through it and ended up reading for an hour straight. I especially appreciated the chapter Culturally Appropriate Publishing Practices. Highly recommended for anyone writing about (ideally with!!) Indigenous Peoples.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book for social science researchers that include Indigenous topics in their work. I especially like the list and explanations for problematic and acceptable terms - it went beyond the standard list of derogatory adjectives that I was already familiar with.

[Audrey Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any excellent resource although some terminology has changed in popularity. A "must have" for those who are at earlier stages on the path to reconciliation or taking college/university courses involved with indigenous concerns.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to considerations regarding indigenous authors and indigenous knowledge usage when writing or publishing. It concisely covers a range of issues. I like the appendix at the back that summarizes the key points by chapter as a handy, quick reference or refresh.

[Sheila Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very helpful for editing an Indigenous memoir that I was working on. I hope that someone will take the time to update it and build upon it. I learned a lot by reading the book from cover to cover, but I had more questions that I had to search elsewhere for. Still, a very useful guide.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is not as much of a guide to grammar and capitalization as one might expect, though things like that come up.

Instead it is more about proper thinking and respect. It is very much Canadian, though at times differences in US usage are noted.

[Jack Raslich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unironically could use some more about Indigenous gender/sexuality: Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer/LGBTQIA+ examples reinforce a lot of what Younging is asserting about Indigenous peoples and how they identify themselves.

[Patrick Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very strong guidance for non-Indigenous writers and editors. I appreciate that it is written in a fashion that reinforces its key principles: there are no easy answers, no comprehensive list of specific uses and direction, because all Indigenous Peoples are unique.

[Jazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely necessary for anyone working in any cultural sector—and I mean ANYONE. If anything, have a copy for reference.

[Anne Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary read for all interested in working and researching with Indigenous peoples.

[Jae Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone who works in publishing, and an interesting and recommended read for many others too.