As a writer of Native American characters in my books, and not being Native American, I keep abreast of all the ways Indigenous people are being heard and seen. In fact, that is the main reason for my three mystery series. I started the Shandra Higheagle Mystery series with the desire to write about a culture I have been in awe with my whole life. And have felt have been unjustly treated.
My mystery books are not only written with a twisty mystery, but I also deliver a small amount of Indigenous culture and what they deal with from people who don’t care to understand their culture. Shandra Higheagle had a Nez Perce father and a White mother. I had her raised in the white world and brought her back to her Nez Perce family as an adult. Having her learn about her culture as I did.
My Gabriel Hawke books, I have a character with a Nez Perce Father and a Cayuse/Umatilla mother. He grew up on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla reservation but went straight into the Marines from high school and from there straight into the Oregon State Police, living off the reservation. He as he is aging and seeing an end to his career as a trooper is returning to his culture. Which again, allows me to learn more and bring it to my readers through his eyes and emotion.
The third series, Spotted Pony Casino, is set on the Umatilla Reservation in a fictional casino. My main character grew up on the reservation but with a White mother and she believed a Hispanic father. While she was around the culture, they didn’t embrace it in their home. Once again, I can show the reservation life and the culture through this character’s eyes and the secondary characters in her life. For this series I also subscribe to the reservation newspaper as well as I have contacts that I use to help me keep the lifestyle and culture as accurate as I can while not living there or being of the culture.
Today is a day where we recognize and appreciate the Indigenous People of this continent. But it shouldn’t happen on one day. It should be something that is honored and recognized every day. Their beliefs in nature and how they are trying to preserve it along with their family values are something many of us have lost.
I hope you read a book or watch a movie with Native American characters or discuss this day and keep learning about their cultures today.
Writing Into The Sunset 
I think it’s about time I delved into your mystery series. Have you heard what’s happening in Australia this Weekend? The Voice. Alas I am not hopeful.
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No, I don’t watch the news unless it is something I want to know about. But I will go check out this topic and see what’s happening.
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Jen, I just read an article about it. Moving Indigenous people thousands of miles to a new area is what the U.S. did as well. And stripping them of their culture. Over here the tribes have made some strides and we have Indigenous people in our government. It appears that Australia is further behind in seeing the injustice than we are. I feel for the people who lived on a land that was taken from them and they still struggle because of being shackled by the people who stole their culture and homes. I hope the referendum goes through.
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