Kegedonce Press

Kegedonce Press is an Indigenous-owned and operated literary publishing house based in Neyaashiinigmiing Reserve No. 27, also known as Cape Croker, in Ontario, Canada. Established in 1993, the press is one of a relatively small number of Canadian publishers dedicated specifically to Indigenous literature. Its publishing program is associated with the motto “w'daub awae,” an Ojibwe expression meaning “speaking true,” which reflects the press’s emphasis on Indigenous authorship, cultural voice, and literary expression. The press publishes Indigenous literature in a range of forms, including poetry and other book-length literary works. Kegedonce Press is particularly notable for prioritizing poetry. Its owner, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, is herself a poet, and the press’s stated approach recognizes poetry as an important entry point for many emerging Indigenous writers. This focus distinguishes Kegedonce from more general trade publishers and positions it as a specialist literary house rather than a broad commercial publisher. Kegedonce’s publishing identity combines cultural representation with attention to the physical and literary quality of its books. The press describes its mission as publishing Indigenous literature that is both beautifully written and beautifully designed. Its catalogue has included work by contemporary Indigenous writers such as Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Joanne Arnott, Warren Cariou, Cherie Dimaline, Al Hunter, Daniel Heath Justice, Basil H. Johnston, Aaron Paquette, and Richard Van Camp. These authors represent varied Indigenous literary practices and genres, and their association with the press has contributed to Kegedonce’s profile within Canadian Indigenous publishing. The press operates from an Indigenous community rather than from one of Canada’s major metropolitan publishing centres. That location is part of its institutional character: Kegedonce is not simply a publisher of Indigenous-themed books but an Indigenous-owned literary organization rooted in the communities and cultural contexts represented by its authors. Its catalogue serves Canadian readers while also being presented as having national and international reach. Kegedonce Press occupies a distinctive place in Canada’s publishing landscape because it combines independent literary publishing, Indigenous ownership, and a sustained commitment to poetry. Public reference material does not identify a parent company, stock-market listing, or corporate group. The available descriptions instead present the press as an independently owned specialist publisher led by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm. Detailed information about its current distribution arrangements, staff structure, revenue, and recent publishing schedule is not established in the supplied sources.

Kegedonce Press was established in 1993 in the Indigenous community of Neyaashiinigmiing Reserve No. 27, commonly known as Cape Croker, in Ontario. Its creation formed part of the development of a dedicated Indigenous publishing presence in Canada, where relatively few publishing houses focused primarily on Indigenous authors and literary production. Rather than operating as a general-interest commercial publisher, Kegedonce developed as a specialist literary press with an Indigenous-owned and community-rooted identity. The press is owned by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, an Indigenous writer and poet. Her literary background has shaped Kegedonce’s editorial profile, especially its decision to give poetry a central place in its publishing program. The press identifies poetry as an important starting point for many emerging Indigenous writers and is described as the only Indigenous publisher in Canada to prioritize poetry in this distinctive way. This emphasis gives the press a role not only in distributing established literature but also in supporting the development of new Indigenous literary voices. Kegedonce’s stated publishing philosophy stresses both literary quality and book design. It describes its purpose as publishing Indigenous literature that is beautifully written and designed, linking the content of its books with their material presentation. Its motto, “w'daub awae,” translated as “speaking true” in Ojibwe, further expresses the press’s commitment to authentic Indigenous expression and to publishing work from Indigenous perspectives. Over time, Kegedonce Press has published or been associated with works by a broad group of contemporary Indigenous writers. The cited catalogue and institutional descriptions name Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Joanne Arnott, Warren Cariou, Cherie Dimaline, Al Hunter, Daniel Heath Justice, Basil H. Johnston, Aaron Paquette, and Richard Van Camp among its authors. Their work demonstrates the breadth of the press’s literary engagement and its role in bringing Indigenous writing to Canadian and wider audiences. The press presents itself as serving readers both nationally and internationally. Its base in Neyaashiinigmiing distinguishes it from publishers concentrated in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, or other large urban centres, while its author list and literary mission connect it to the broader Canadian and international Indigenous literary community. Publicly available reference material does not provide a detailed chronology of individual acquisitions, editions, distribution agreements, or organizational changes. It also does not identify a parent company, public listing, or corporate group. On the available evidence, Kegedonce Press remains an independent specialist literary publisher under the ownership of Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm.

• 1993

  Kegedonce Press is established

  [1]Kegedonce Pressen.wikipedia.org

  Kegedonce Press begins operations as an Indigenous publishing house in Neyaashiinigmiing Reserve No. 27 (Cape Croker), Ontario.

An independent, Indigenous-owned literary press centered on contemporary Indigenous writing and distinguished by its sustained priority for poetry, authorial voice, and carefully designed books.

• Poetry books

  Indigenous poetry

  Poetry is the press’s defining editorial priority. Kegedonce emphasizes poetry as an important route into literary careers for many emerging Indigenous writers, reflecting the owner’s own background as a poet. The program supports contemporary Indigenous poetic expression and gives the form unusual prominence within a specialist Indigenous publishing list.

• Literary books

  Indigenous literary works

  Kegedonce publishes book-length Indigenous literature by contemporary authors. The identified writers associated with its catalogue span multiple literary practices and demonstrate the press’s broader commitment to representing Indigenous voices rather than limiting its list to a single genre.

1. 1Kegedonce Pressen.wikipedia.org