Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm is an Anishinaabe writer of mixed ancestry from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. She lives and works at Neyaashiinigmiing, Cape Croker Reserve on the Saugeen Peninsula in southwestern Ontario, and in Ottawa.

A cultural worker with an activist bent, Kateri has initiated many important projects on behalf of Indigenous writers of Turtle Island (North America) and active collaborations with artists and publishers in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Australia. A spoken word artist and literary performer as well as poet, writer, editor, and communications consultant, Ms. Akiwenzie-Damm works both behind the scenes and before live audiences.

In 1993, she established Kegedonce Press, one of very few literary publishing houses devoted to indigenous writers. It continues to produce anthologies and single author books of distinction. Acclaimed Canadian authors Basil H. Johnston (Ojibway) and Richard Van Camp (Tli Cho) are among those who have published books through Kegedonce Press. She is both founder and managing editor of the press.

Akiwenzie-Damm has edited two anthologies: "skins: Contemporary indigenous writing" (2000, with Josie Douglas), and "Without Reservation: Indigenous Erotica" (2003). These offer works drawn from a variety of Indigenous cultures and artistic traditions from Canada, the United States, Hawaii, Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Each anthology is co-published with another Indigenous press from the southern hemisphere. She was also involved with organising "Honouring Words: International Indigenous Authors Celebration Tour", a year-long international event involving indigenous authors from Canada, US, Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand

Bibliography

As author

*"My Heart is a Stray Bullet" Cape Croker ON: Kegedonce Press. 1993/2003.

As editor

*"Skins: Contemporary Indigenous Writing" with Josie Douglas; Cape Croker Reserve, ON: Kegedonce Press. Co-published with Aboriginal Australian publisher, Jukurrpa Books. 2000.

*"Without Reservation: Indigenous Erotica"; Cape Croker Reserve, ON: Kegedonce Press. Co-published with Hula Publishers, Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand. 2003.

CDs

"Standing Ground" with The Nishin Spoken Word Project, Nishin Productions, Cape Croker Reserve, ON. 2003. A Constellation of Bones, in collaboration with various artists.

ee also

* List of writers from peoples indigenous to the Americas
* Native American Studies

External links

* [http://www.hanksville.org/storytellers/damm/ Official Website]
* [http://www.ipl.org/div/natam/bin/browse.pl/A164 At the Internet Public Library]
* [http://www.writersblock.ca/spring2002/interv.htm 2002 Interview with Writers Block]
* [http://www.canadacouncil.ca/news/releases/2002/wn127239342826562500.htm Canada Council for the Arts article on Honouring Words]