Welcome to the Stolen Relations Explore page!

Two quick words of caution:

  1. Archival documents often contain terms, phrases, and biases that reduce, minimize, or alter Native identities and views of the world.
  2. This project is not “complete” — numbers shown represent only what has been entered into this database, not the total number of Natives who were enslaved or unfree in any given area.

Story Writing Guidelines for Stolen Relations

Story Writing Guidelines for Stolen Relations

**NOTE: always first check the existing stories to make sure one does not already exist.

  1. Outlook/framing: Remember that your stories need to reflect the care and sensitivity this project has tried to cultivate. This includes keeping in mind the perspectives of our tribal partners and their very careful approach to the material. It can be easy for academic-minded folks to somewhat glibly handle this material, but keep in mind the deeper and longer experience of settler colonialism and historical trauma that these stories represent. 
  2. Additional background and research: Every story will require additional research to be able to adequately contextualize what was happening in the document. If no additional information can be gleaned, then maybe a different source/story will need to be chosen. To find additional historical and background information, try the following: 
    • Run a general Google search that combines key terms, such as name(s), locations, and keywords from the document. This will likely bring up more local history sources and blogs, which can be useful. 
    • Search academic sites such as JSTOR and Google Scholar. 
    • Try searching Google Books, Hathitrust.org, and archive.org. Town histories (often older, nineteenth-century publications) can be useful as well. 
  3. Clarity/explanation: Keep the general but non-specialist reader in mind. You’ll want to be sure to explain things and clarify terms, people, names, etc. Try to keep your writing accessible. 
  4. Terminology: Use Indigenous tribal locations and names whenever possible, e.g., Guanahani instead of San Salvador, Diné instead of Navajo. Use Indigenous or Native instead of Indian. 
  5. Length: Ideally, these are shorter, easily digestible stories for the general public, approximately 500–750 words. 
  6. Images: If possible or relevant, make sure that an image (with proper credits/sourcing) accompanies your story. It might make sense to include an image of the primary source. 
  7. Citations: Please make sure that you are able to back up the information you give with specific sources to cite in footnotes in the Chicago format.
  8. Further reading: If possible, suggest a secondary source or two for additional reading on the wider context of this story. 
  9. Review and revision: All stories need to be reviewed by a senior member of the Stolen Relations team. This may involve some revisions and editing, which is a normal part of this process. You will still receive credit if it is posted on the website. 

Thanks!