Who We Are

The IEA is a membership association formed as a mutual support network by Indigenous people who work with stories in lands claimed by Canada and the United States. Membership is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who support our mission, vision, and values.

Mission

Our mission is to promote recognition of, and employment equity for, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis professionals who work with stories. Our Indigenous members include editors, writers, knowledge keepers, Elders, language experts, and those with other specialized skills. We help ensure that publishing projects by, for, and about Indigenous Peoples are Indigenous-led, follow appropriate protocols, and respect Traditional Knowledge and intellectual property rights.

Vision

Our vision is a world where Traditional Knowledge is properly valued. We want to see editors, storytellers, and publishing professionals recognized and fairly compensated for their knowledge, unique expertise, and emotional labour.

Indigenous publishing professionals should have all the resources they need to enjoy rewarding careers while fulfilling their responsibilities to their communities and lands as storytellers, Knowledge Keepers, and relatives.

Indigenous stories and Traditional Knowledge must be approached with Indigenous community-focused editing practices and employed with care by Indigenous editors. The IEA connects Indigenous people who work with stories with each other. In our diverse roles-as editors, proofreaders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous language and culture experts, designers, publishing professionals, and more-we will strategize, share, and learn together. We will take part in publishing and storytelling on our terms and with the needs of our communities at the centre of our work. We will share our stories-those that created us and the ones that heal us-in a good way with each other and the world.

Values

Indigenous Peoples and cultures are diverse, and as individuals we bring a diversity of experiences and values to our work. Our communities remain at the centre of the work we do. Our shared values include:

  • respect and responsibility;
  • transparency and accountability;
  • representation and inclusion; and
  • accessibility for our Elders, youth, and all our relations.

What We Do

We create and share effective tools and initiatives to make publishing more accessible for emerging Indigenous professionals.

Mandate

Our mandate is to:

  • strengthen relationships among our members;
  • advocate for Indigenous people in publishing;
  • create training and professional development opportunities for Indigenous members; and
  • provide educational opportunities for all publishing professionals to learn about working with Indigenous stories.

IEA Guiding Principles

At the 2015 Indigenous Editors Circle, participants developed the following draft guiding principles for working with Indigenous authors and editors in Canada.

  • Respectful representation of Indigenous Peoples in published books is a right protected by Section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act, 1982, and by Article 31 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

  • Literatures by Indigenous authors and about Indigenous Peoples ought to be edited by Indigenous editors.
  • Ethical principles about Indigenous cultural heritage ownership ought to supersede copyright laws.
  • Indigenous communities have collective ownership over their Traditional Knowledge.
  • The publication of a book is all about clearly defined, transparent, respectful relationships.
  • Indigenous authors are not necessarily bound by the conventions of established literary genres.
  • It is the responsibility of the editor and therefore the publisher to mentor emerging Indigenous writers where possible.
  • Ceremony is a potential resource for building collaborative relationships built on sacred trust.
  • Vetting, reviewing, and consultation regarding Indigenous content needs to be by an Indigenous person.
  • Publishing houses need to take an interest in, and safeguard and support, the cultural integrity of Indigenous editors.
  • Teams of reviewers and vetters must include culturally competent members.

The Indigenous Editors Circle recommends setting aside a specific portion of public funding for writers to support Indigenous writers.

The Indigenous Editors Circle envisions Canadian publishers that will:

  • respond responsibly to feedback about publications that are offensive to Indigenous readers;
  • undergo Indigenous cultural sensitivity training;
  • recruit and retain Indigenous editors to publish and develop Indigenous authors;
  • provide career guidance to new Indigenous authors, mindful of the potential responsibilities of authors to provide public readings in home communities that might be far away; and
  • respect the localities and diversities of place, language, sexual orientation, and multiple genders.

Volunteer with the IEA

The IEA is seeking dedicated volunteers to support its work, including events like the Indigenous Editors Circle, webinars, and other programming. Engaged volunteers are needed in the following committees:

  • Projects & Programming
  • Finance
  • Governance
  • Communications

Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of the IEA. If you are already a member and would like to volunteer, please reach out to info@indigenouseditorsassociation.ca.

For those not yet part of the IEA, we invite you to become a member and strengthen our growing community.

Membership

Work with the IEA

Administrative Assistant Position

The Indigenous Editors Association is seeking a part-time, project-based Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant will work remotely to assist our growing organization and support project work.

Download PDF

Recommended Rates Project Participation

Lend your voice to shaping a recommended fee schedule for Indigenous creatives by joining a one-on-one interview or a community meeting. Participants will receive an honorarium.

Prefer a survey? Complete it for a chance to win one of two $100 prizes. Please choose only one option-interview/meeting or survey.

Go to Survey More Information

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