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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.
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| 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.
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Owner/Managing
Editor - Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Chippewas
of Nawash First Nation
Publishing Assistant - Renee
K. Abram, Oneida Nation (Onyota'a:ka), Wolf
Clan
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| TRADE
ORDERS:
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LIT DISTCO
c/o 100 Armstrong Avenue
Georgetown, Ontario L7G 3S4
toll-free phone (Canada, US): 1-800-591-6250
toll-free fax (Canada, US): 1-800-591-6251
email: orders@litdistco.ca
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TERMS
Discount: 40% for 5 books or more, 46% for wholesalers
(5 books or more)
Returns: Books may be returned for credit three months
after the invoice date, and within twelve months of
the invoice date, provided that they are in resaleable
condition and free of retailer's stickers. All returns
must be properly packaged and sent prepaid to the Lit
DistCo address.
Freight: Free shipping on orders of 10 copies or more.
Terms subject to change at any time.
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