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Wikipedia Editathon

For Reconciliation and Decolonization

Younging quote

"I was hearing stories — and I knew that this was happening — that Indigenous writers who were getting published by non-Indigenous publishers and edited by non-Indigenous editors, were having bad editorial experiences. Because the editors were not understanding where Indigenous peoples were coming from, what Indigenous protocols are all about, and even the traumatic histories that Indigenous peoples have been through in the colonization process — so there was a lack of sensitivity there."

Gregory Younging, CBC Interview, March 16, 2018

Indigenous Style Guide - Excerpts

The following principles are excerpted from Gregory Younging's Elements of Indigenous Style (2018).

 

Principle 11: Inappropriate Terminology

Avoid using inappropriate terminology. Exceptions include the special cases below:

  • specifically discussing the problematic terminology
  • referring to the name of a document or institution that contains that terminology
  • quoting from an historical source - but address the terminology as inappropriate, and correct it

 

Principle 12: The Names of Indigenous Peoples

The appropriate names for Indigenous Peoples are the names that they use for themselves. Indigenous Peoples' names in English have evolved and are evolving; consult with the people to ensure accuracy.

 

Principle 13: Terms That Should Be Capitalized

Always show respect by capitalizing terms for the following: Indigenous identities; Indigenous governmental, social, spiritual, and religious institutions; and Indigenous collective rights. For example:

  • First Nations, Indigenous, Inuit/Inuk, Métis, Chief, Matriarch, Elder, Oral Tradition, Protocols, Traditional Knowledge

 

Principle 18: Inappropriate Possessives

Indigenous Peoples are independent sovereign nations that predate Euro-colonial states and are not "owned." Therefore, avoid the use of possessives that imply ownership: "Canada's Indigenous Peoples," "our Indigenous Peoples," and "the Indigenous People of Canada" should not be used.

 

Principle 21: Indigenous Language Translation

Indigenous style recognizes that Indigenous language translation is an important part of Indigenous Peoples' cultural reclamation and resurgence.

 

Principle 22: The Past Tense

Avoid the past tense in writing about Indigenous Peoples, except when using a quotation that uses the past tense, or referring to an activity or event that took place exclusively in the past. As many ancient cultural activities continue to be practised, do not assume they have ceased.

 

Indigenous Style Guide

The following principles are excerpted from Gregory Younging's Elements of Indigenous Style (2018). (Access the ebook here.)

Gregory Younging was a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba. He was the managing editor of Theytus Books, the first Aboriginal-owned publishing house in Canada, from 1990-2004. Among his other accomplishments, from 2010 to 2012, he was the assistant director of research to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, where he was part of writing teams that created three national reports.

Elements of Indigenous Style (2018) evolved from the house style guide Gregory developed at Theytus Books in order to ensure content was consistent and respectful, and it has become a foundational text in writing classes and in publishing.

We have listed some of the Indigenous Style principles here, but encourage you to read Younging's full work.

Interview with Younging in Quill & Quire, 2017.

Gregory Younging on Indigenous Editing Practices (2019)