Muskrat Magazine

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Muskrat Magazine
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Rebeka Tabobondung (Wasauksing Ojibway)
Staff writers Erica Commanda (Pikwakanagan Algonquin/Ojibway)
Categories literary magazine
Formatdigital
FounderRebeka Tabobondung and David Shilling
Founded2010
First issueNovember 15, 2010 (2010-November-15)
Country Canada
Based in Toronto, Ontario
LanguageEnglish, primarily
Website muskratmagazine.com
OCLC 969665888

Muskrat Magazine is an online Indigenous literary, art, and culture publication, published in Toronto. It includes profiles of Indigenous peoples engaged in the arts including literature, film, music, and visual and performing arts.

The publication's name was inspired by the central role of the muskrat in a creation story re-told by Anishnabe storyteller Basil H. Johnston (Wasauksing Ojibway) in his work Ojibway Heritage. [1]

Muskrat Magazine was established by Rebeka Tabobondung [2] (Wasauksing Ojibway) and David Shilling [3] (Ojibway). The founding editor was author Cherie Dimaline (Métis). [4]

The online publication was launched in November 2010, with Tabobondung and Shilling working from their Beverley Street apartment in Toronto. Tabobondung has stated that one of the goals for Muskrat is to explore the history and culture of Canadian Indigenous people in urban cities, where more than 50 percent now live. She and Shilling are cofounders of Maaiingan Productions, a collective of Aboriginal writers and commercial artists who work for a range of corporate and nonprofit clients. Tabobondung and Shilling felt there was a need to start their own publication when one of Maaiingan's clients, the Toronto Native publication Spirit magazine folded in 2008. [5]

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References

  1. "Teachings from the Muskrat". Muskrat Magazine. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. "Panel Speaker: Rebeka Tabobondung | OCAD University Research". OCAD University. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  3. "Toronto Aboriginal Business Association 2012 Awards". Turtle Island. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  4. Kurek, Dominik (8 June 2015). "Q & A with North York library's writer-in-residence Cherie Dimaline". North York Mirror. Metroland Media Group. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  5. "Toronto artist's work bridges traditional and urban First Nations life". CityNews. Toronto: Rogers Media. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2016.