Way back in late 2012, I was at the initial launch of Kimiwan. I was there supporting my cousin, who was performing, as well as embracing the idea of a new, Indigenous arts journal. It blew my mind. I spent the next two+ years absolutely loving what Kimiwan was becoming, and the voice they were giving to grassroots and experienced storytellers. I watched as it grew from local to then national exposure, from launches in small coffee shops to hosting parties in Vancouver and Winnipeg.
And now, it was bittersweet to be at the last event hosted by Kimiwan. The editors are moving on, not saying goodbye to Kimiwan, but rather letting it take a backseat while they go forward with their own goals and dreams and lives beyond this magazine. They hosted an amazingly fun event filled with people who have watched Kimiwan grow, have participated in many o fetch launched, and who all shared in joy and embarrassment as we shared hilarious stories and diary entries.
A beautiful time to take a breath – a moment filled with laughter.
