About Us

The Company
• Mandate / Objectives

Since it began in 1993, Kegedonce Press has been committed to the development, promotion, and publication of the work of Indigenous writers nationally and internationally.

“We strive to foster the creative cultural expression of Indigenous Peoples through the publication of beautifully crafted books which involve Indigenous Peoples in all levels of production and by supporting activities which promote Indigenous literary development and the development of Indigenous publishing”.

• Geographic Location and Community Served

Kegedonce Press is a Native owned and operated company based at Neyaashiinigmiing, on the traditional territory of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. We are committed to our guiding vision of publishing and promoting works of the Indigenous writers of Turtle Island and supporting the enterprise of Indigenous artists, graphic illustrators, designers, editors, printers and others in related fields.


Role in Aboriginal Publishing

Kegedonce Press is one of only three established Aboriginal publishers in Canada, one of only two that publishes Aboriginal writers as general operations (the other specializes in Metis writing). Narrowing the field further, Kegedonce Press is the only Aboriginal publishing company in Ontario, the only Aboriginal publisher committed to publishing poetry and the only one with a commitment and experience in developing international markets.

Kegedonce believes that creating and nurturing a larger audience and market will be of benefit to Kegedonce and our writers. Sharing markets for First Peoples, Native American, Maori, Aboriginal, and Indigenous writers generally will assist in developing an international readership interested in the writings of wider range of Indigenous writing.

For the past 9 years Kegedonce Press has been active in the development of our services and Indigenous publishing through networking with other Aboriginal publishers on an international basis and demonstrates this commitment through maintaining ongoing contact with four international Indigenous publishers: Jukurrpa Books (IAD Press), and Magabala Books both of Australia, and Huia Publishers and Kupu Ao Publishers both of Aotearoa /New Zealand.

Our groundbreaking work in the area of international collaborations serves to promote local Indigenous writers by exposing their work to promising new markets. It is our belief that collaborations and co-productions with other Indigenous publishers and others in the literary field are key in the development of Kegedonce Press and our writers. This also ties into our marketing strategy of ultimately achieving a wider audience base for Indigenous writers through the inclusion of international promotion activities.

In addition to our publishing efforts, Kegedonce provides editorial advice and assistance to several Aboriginal writers along with reviewing and providing comments on the numerous manuscripts that we have received. Authors, even ‘new’ authors, must have attained some recognition in the literary and or Indigenous arts communities and be committed to their creative work before being considered for publication.

We develop strong relationships with authors and work closely with them prior to accepting them for publication. In general, we work to develop and maintain networks within Indigenous writing circles and whenever possible assist writers in developing their work by providing feedback, suggestions for making manuscripts ‘publisher-ready,’ and circulating calls for submission and other relevant information.

The quality of the writing is extremely good and, we believe, will improve as our distribution and marketing improve and as we become better equipped to respond to the growing interests in our program and the demand for our services and materials. Over the years we have attained a high level of acceptance and respect within the Indigenous arts community as we take the time to work with writers during the early stages of their work and therefore, know when publishable manuscripts are nearing completion or when work is available for anthologies or other publications.

We strive to publish ‘new’ writers both through publishing first books for writers (such as Al Hunter’s Spirit Horses) and by publishing collections and anthologies which highlight the work of emerging writers along with celebrated established Indigenous writers whose work is not well known in Canada.
In addition to this work, Kegedonce Press has recently accepted the responsibility as a third party recommender for the Ontario Arts Council’s ‘Writers Reserve’ program. Based on our experience and specific focus on Aboriginal writers, it was deemed by the OAC that Kegedonce was in the unique position to identify new talent and encourage development through this program. We are happy to report that four new voices have been recommended for this year’s intake.

Whenever possible, production and design is undertaken or overseen by Indigenous artists, graphic artists, designers and printers. High quality design, materials and production are the cornerstone of our aesthetic approach to publishing. We look to be innovative in approach, to take risks as needed in the selection and design of material insofar as it will challenge existing perceptions, stereotypes and expectations.


Organizational Structure

Owner/Managing Editor - Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Chippewas of Nawash First Nation

Publishing Manager - Renee K. Abram, Oneida Nation (Onyota’a:ka), Wolf Clan

 


Sales : Literary Press Group

TRADE ORDERS:

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