Correct out of date or offensive language found in an Indigenous Author article.
Although Wikipedia strives to be an updated and accurate encyclopedia, the website has been around for a long time. Articles written in the past or current editors unaware of language or terms which are offensive, may contain language that is ignorant, not respectful, or outdated.
When updating language, keep in mind Wikipedia’s requirements that all articles are written in a neutral point of view.
Instructions
- Browse the HIW Author List and see if you can find an Indigenous author’s article that contains outdated or offensive language.
- Go to edit the article
- Re-write the sentences or words that need to be changed..
- Click on “Publish changes”
- Publish
- Leave a note in the article’s Talk page and let other editors know why you made this change.
Resources
- UBC Indigenous Peoples Language Guidelines
- Terminology Resources (Xwi7xwa Library Research Guide)
- Wikipedia guidelines on Neutral Point of View
- Wikipedia Talk pages
Complete this Activity
After you have finished updating the language, let us know by tweeting out the Author article using the hashtag #HonouringIndigenousWriters.
Image Attribution: Featured photo by Orsolya Vékony on Unsplash