The Client:
Bernice Williams, HIVE Connections Publishing (in collaboration with Ulnooweg)
The Assignment:
For the second volume in the With Grace and Grit series, HIVE Connections Publishing teamed up with Ulnooweg, a not-for-profit organization that supports Indigenous entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada. Volume 2, Indigenous Women in Business, brought together 21 Indigenous women from the Eastern provinces. Most were business owners, others were teachers, elders, and political representatives. Continuing in the tradition of With Grace and Grit, the goal was to give them a platform to have their stories heard and leave a legacy for future generations.
The Process:
I connected with each author to discuss their draft and make a plan for completing and/or revising their chapter. We worked via email, solidifying the stories and making sure each author felt good about her chapter. Working with a group which has historically been ignored, if not silenced, meant that we put even more focus on making sure each woman felt seen, heard, and understood.
The Outcome:
With Grace and Grit, Vol. 2 is a transformative collection of stories. It contains nuanced explorations of Indigenous identity, inspiring stories of resilience and strength, and stark portrayals of generational trauma. Many of the women were first-time authors, and it was an honour and a privilege to support them as they shared their stories, some of which had never been shared before.
