parallaxreview asked:

Writing sf story with non-indigenous woc mc. Shes in another timeline/world similar to hers except shes seemingly not supposed to exist in it (its sorta dreamlike). During her journey, theres symbolism with a bird following her around/her following said bird/interacting with it. Its helping her to freedom. I know birds as symbols exist in many cultures, but does this come off as appropriation of indigenous culture as a spirit guide (even if I did not intend it that way/set out writing that way)?

Avoiding Appropriation with Animal Helpers

It’s not necessarily a problem, but I wouldn’t label this as her spirit guide. The concept of animal helpers in itself crosses many cultures (see the wikiarticle “familiar spirit”) 

In any case, I’d read up on spirit animals so you’re not falling into appropriation or misappropriation. This post is a start. 

~ Colette

I’d ask a person from an indigenous culture who is familiar with spirit animals just in case, because some things might be too similar to not make it appropriative. There’s no problem in using an animal helper, like Colette says, but it should be kept at that.

~ Alice

Commentary:

esmeraldt said: I can help. Now, bird familiars aren’t exclusive to indigenous cultures, in fact Odin himself has crow companions. It’s not too bad unless you actively look up these indigenous aspects and give them to a non native. K?