Special Call for Indigenous Cartoonists
Project Title: Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) Heroes: Tribal Journey Indigenous Comics Initiative Project
Following the success of Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories: A Graphic Novel (2024)—a landmark project that brought Elders’ voices to new generations through comic art —TSL Enterprises Ltd, the Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation (HFN), Education without Borders, and the UBC Comics Studies Cluster are launching a new community-driven Indigenous Comics Initiative. This second graphic novel project will focus on the annual canoe journey that the HFN and many of BC’s other coastal First Nations participate in to preserve their culture and language, and to provide intergenerational connection and inter-nation relationship-building opportunities to Indigenous youth and community members. This project expands on the earlier work of Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories: A Graphic Novel, which interpreted archival recordings of Elders and visually represented cultural knowledge for youth, schools, and the broader public. However, this new initiative turns to contemporary cultural practice—the preparation, protocols, teachings, and intergenerational relationships that shape the canoe journey today.
We are seeking one Indigenous cartoonist to join returning artist Valen Onstine, who was a key contributor to the previous graphic novel, in co-creating a new comic that documents and celebrates the HFN’s annual (contemporary) traditional canoe trip from their traditional territories in Campbell River to the event’s coastal host city, which changes every year.
About the Project
The Homalco canoe trip is a living expression of Coast Salish cultural knowledge, leadership, family connections, and community wellness. It brings together youth, Elders, skippers, and support crews in an annual act of resurgence, revitalization, and shared storytelling on the water.
Archeological evidence indicates that these informal inter-nation canoe journeys date back to 14,000 years ago. A modern resurgence of these traditional journeys has been on the rise since the late 1980s and continues to grow and enrich not only Xwémalhkwu culture but also all the coastal communities that participate in it.
- Building on our team’s community relationships, relational research methodologies, and co-creative approach to comics creations developed during Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories, this project will produce a short graphic narrative (approx. 45 pages) that:
- Documents the 2026 canoe trip through a culturally grounded, collaborative storytelling process.
- Reflects the teachings shared by Elders and Knowledge Keepers during preparations, training, and travel.
- Celebrates the labour and care that community members contribute—canoe carving and maintenance, safety planning, food preparation, family involvement, and language use.
- Represents the journey as both a contemporary practice and a continuation of Homalco’s deep history on the land and waters of Bute Inlet.
Artists will have creative freedom, while working collaboratively with the project team, Homalco leadership, and community members to ensure cultural accuracy, respect, and shared authorship—an approach central to our previous collaborations with HFN Elders and storytellers.
Artist Commitment
The selected artist will:
- Participate in planning meetings with the project team and Homalco leadership.
- Join a site visit to Campbell River to meet with community members, observe canoe-trip preparations, and gather visual and narrative inspiration.
- Collaborate closely with Valen Onstine and Project Manager Tchadas Leo to produce a unified visual and narrative style for the final comic.
- Create graphic narrative content that presents the canoe journey in a way that is accessible to youth, community audiences, and educators.
- Provide thumbnails and drafts for feedback and incorporate requested revisions.
- Deliver final print-ready files.
We encourage approaches that draw on documentary storytelling, intergenerational narratives, visual symbolism, Indigenous language elements, and artistic experimentation—similar to the creative freedoms emphasized in past calls.
Compensation
The selected artist will receive $3000 CAD for 12-15 pages of comics content (likely several short stories) paid in two installments:
- $1500 upon delivery of thumbnails/storyboards.
- $1500 upon submission of the completed comic pages.
Compensation includes participation in meetings, the site visit, and all creative work leading to the final deliverable.
Eligibility
We invite applications from:
- Indigenous cartoonists from across Turtle Island, with preference for artists based in British Columbia or with relational connections to coastal Nations.
- Artists with experience in comics, visual storytelling, documentary or community-engaged art practices.
- Artists who are excited to collaborate with Homalco community members, including Elders and youth.
Timeline
- February 15, 2026 – Deadline for applications
- March 1, 2026 – Artist notified of selection
- March 2026 – Zoom Meeting with the Team
- March-May – Independent Research
- May 2026 – Site visit to Campbell River (specific dates TBD; travel covered)
- June 15, 2026 – Thumbnails due
- July 15, 2026 – Editorial feedback returned
- August 2026 – Site visit to Campbell River (specific dates TBD; travel covered)
- September 1, 2026 – Draft comic due
- October 1, 2026 – Editorial feedback returned
- November 1, 2026 – Final comic due
Application Process
Please submit a single PDF containing:
- Letter of Interest (max. 1 page) describing your artistic practice, your connection to Indigenous storytelling, and your interest in working with Homalco’s canoe-trip traditions.
- 3 examples of comic art (max. 10 pages total).
- OPTIONAL: A short creative statement or early concept sketch related to documentary or community-based graphic storytelling.
Send applications via the link below or submit via email to indigenous.comics.initiatives@ubc.ca by February 15, 2025.
For more information, please contact Tchadas Leo, tchadasleo@gmail.com, and cc Dr. Biz Nijdam, biz.nijdam@ubc.ca.
Submit application here
About the Partner Organizations
The project is a collaboration between:
- Homalco First Nation, whose Elders and community members continue to guide all aspects of the work, building on the foundations established during Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories.
- Education without Borders, whose commitment to reconciliation and youth education helped initiate the earlier podcast and graphic novel projects.
- TSL Enterprises Ltd, who is the managing company facilitating partnerships with above mentioned institutions and organizations. The company and the project are led by Tchadas Leo.
- UBC Comics Studies Cluster, whose mandate includes supporting Indigenous storytelling and knowledge mobilization through comics across educational and community contexts.