Call for submissions: Indigenous/settler relations and the struggle to decolonize Canadian society

“If non-indigenous readers are capable of listening, they will . . . discover that while we are envisioning a new relationship between Onkwehonwe and the land, we are at the same time offering a decolonized alternative to the Settler society by inviting them to share our vision of respect and peaceful coexistence.”
-Alfred Taiaiake, preface to Wasáse: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom (Broadview Press, 2005).

Though many Canadians remain blind to it, the colonial relationship continues to shape every aspect of Canadian society, economy, and foreign and domestic policies. Non-indigenous social justice advocates have begun to recognize, however, that real progress towards a society based on equality, social justice, and respect for the environment requires working in solidarity with indigenous peoples to decolonize our minds, our movements and our institutions.

To that end, Briarpatch Magazine invites contributions to our June/July 2008 issue on Indigenous/settler relations. We are looking for feature articles, provocative essays, investigative reportage, news briefs, reviews, interviews, profiles, poetry, humour, and artwork that explores the issues surrounding the struggles of Indigenous peoples for autonomy and self-determination, the state of Indigenous/settler relations in 21st century Canada, and the roles and responsibilities of settler allies in the struggle to decolonize Canada.

Possible topics could include (but are by no means limited to) the role of the treaties as a guide for Indigenous/settler relations, the “no Olympics of stolen land” campaign, the fight against the extradition of John Graham, Canadian Forces recruitment on reserves, the state of First Nations efforts to impede (or at least control) resource extraction on reserve or unceded lands, warrior societies, anarcho-indigenism, tips and tactics for decolonizing the social/environmental justice movement, and the impact of the tar sands and other oil and gas projects on affected First Nations communities.

Queries are due by February 18, 2008. If your query is accepted; first drafts are due by March 14, 2008. Your query should outline what ground your contribution will cover, give an estimated word count, and indicate your relevant experience or background in writing about the issue. Please provide a brief writing sample.

Please review our submission guidelines before submitting. Send your queries/submissions to editor AT briarpatchmagazine DOT com.

We reserve the right to edit your work (with your active involvement), and cannot guarantee publication. Briarpatch is presently experimenting with a $0.05/word payment policy, where none existed before.