Supporting our Community: Grants, Projects, and Professional Development

December 10, 2024

By Rhonda Kronyk

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Our team has been hard at work securing grants to sustain our core activities, support capacity-building projects, and provide meaningful professional development opportunities for our members. Here's an update on the work we've been doing to strengthen our community.

Projects

When we design our projects and programs, we prioritize supporting our members and the broader storytelling community. Many of these initiatives include public-facing resources to benefit everyone. For example, our bylaws and policies will be freely accessible as templates for other organizations, and the two guides that will be developed through our Recommended Rates project will both be available on our website (See Resources, Publications).

Building Strong Foundations

Since 2021, we've been working on a long-term initiative to establish comprehensive organizations frameworks grounded in Indikgenous principles. This project has enabled us to:

• Develop bylaws, policies, and procedures.
• Create a strategic plan.
• Rewrite our membership policy to welcome individuals and organizations from Canada and the United States.

This foundational work will culminate in the spring of 2025, ensuring our organization is better equipped to support our community.

Member Portal and Resources

Another significant project has been the creation of a new member portal, offering Indigenous professionals in publishing more ways to showcase their work and connect with opportunities. As part of this development, we've launched:

• A Jobs Board for career opportunities.
• An interactive Indigenous Professionals Directory to promote collaboration and visibility.

Recommended Rates Project

In December 2024, we initiated the Recommended Rates project to address a critical issue in publishing: fair compensation. This year-long project will produce:

• A recommended rates guide.
• A guide for working with Indigenous editors.
• A service agreement template (exclusively for our members).

These resources aim to foster equity and clarity within the publishing industry.

Programs

Professional development is at the heart of our programming, and we strive to highlight our members as panelists, presenters, and facilitators. If you're interested in contributing to future programming, please use the contact form and tell us how you would like to participate.

Webinar Series

In 2021, we launched our first webinar series, covering topics like building relationships in publishing, cultural authenticity reading, marketing and rate setting, an emerging editors roundtable, and book coaching.

The 2024 series builds on this foundation with sessions such as:

• Indigenous representation in literature (March 2024).
• An Ask-Us-Anything event with the Indigenous Voices Awards.
• Webinars on the history of the IEA and a sneak peek at the upcoming second edition of Elements of Indigenous Style.

Indigenous Editors Circle

In September 2024, we announced the return of the Indigenous Editors Circle, the first since 2017. This is an exciting milestone for the IEA. We have since been granted funding, and plans are to meet at the En'owkin Centre in Penticton, BC, from May 4-9, 2025.

Inaugural Gregory Younging Memorial Mentorship Lunch

We are proud to announce the Gregory Younging Memorial Mentorship Lunch, which will take place at the during the Indigenous Editors Circle. This event brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous publishing professionals in a meaningful gathering that embodies the spirit of Greg's vision.

Greg saw editors as agents of reconciliation, bridging communities through collaboration and mutual understanding. This lunch provides a unique opportunity for participants to connect and begin relationships that we hope will grow and flourish over time, reflecting the values Greg championed.

Join us as we honour his legacy and continue the important work of fostering respect and reconciliation in the publishing world.

Looking Ahead

We're thrilled to announce the early stages of the Four Directions Professional Development Program, a comprehensive initiative designed to support and uplift storytelling professionals.

This program will feature:

• Indigenous Editors Circle: A transformative gathering held every three years, fostering collaboration and learning.
• Webinar Series: Annual sessions providing insights, skill-building, and industry expertise.
• Internship Program: Hands-on opportunities for emerging professionals to gain valuable experience in the publishing industry.
• One-on-One Mentorship: A mentorship program connecting early-career Indigenous editors with established professionals to foster guidance, growth, and community.

Stay connected to our blog for updates as we continue to develop this exciting program. We look forward to creating meaningful opportunities that empower the next generation of storytelling professionals.

Stay Connected

For updates on our projects and programs, subscribe to our newsletter (sign up at the bottom of any IEA webpage), follow us on social media, and explore our website.

Together, we're building a vibrant, equitable future for Indigenous publishing professionals and the wider storytelling community.

 

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