kimiwan – magazine launch, Saskatoon, SK // events

My cousin was performing at the magazine launch of Kimiwan (means “rain” in Plains Cree dialect), and she invited me along. As it meant good food, great coffee house and a chance to hear some spoken word from other local aboriginal authors and performers – I was in.

And the talent blew me away.

The actual ‘zine itself was beautiful – shiny and glossy, thick and luxurious to the touch. They included art, photography, stories, poetry, fiction and non-fiction. It was a beautiful collection of relevant literature from new and talented author. Inspiring. Captivating.

And the performers – they were a group of people who knew what they wanted to say. Poets and lyricists, storytellers, all of them. All making their voices heard.

I had been too long since I surrounded myself with creativity like that. They reminded me what it felt like to show my soul on written word, and they inspired me. hey inspired the crowd, all of whom bobbed their heads and tapped their feet to the rhythm that was being presented throughout the night. There was a connection, a unity that night. A celebration of Aboriginal and making change and following our dreams.

Congrats, Kimiwan creators and contributors, on your beautiful launch and your beautiful magazine.

kimiwan is a quarterly publication that showcases words and art from emerging and established Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit writers and artists. We are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, treaty six territory. Our name means rain in Nehiyawewin (Plains Cree). We are looking for all kinds of art: drawings, photographs, paintings, collage, typography, scribbles, thoughts, ideas, words, poetry, songs, short stories, recipes, interviews, creative non-fiction, or whatever media you use to express yourself.

Topics we are interested in: 
decolonization, identity, family, land, laughter, love, rage, youth voice, healing, nostalgia, surviving, technology, music, graffiti, tradition, your story…

How to submit to issue #2:
Email is best. Send us hi-res (300 dpi) scans of any artwork. We accept: .jpeg, .tiff, .pdf, .psd, .ai, .doc.
Please send short bio along with your submission, maximum 100 words.

Email: kimiwan.zine@gmail.com / kimiwan-zine.tumblr.com

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2013