Medicine Wheel Publishing is the publisher of many Indigenous authors as well as being the official publisher of Orange Shirt Day written by the Orange Shirt Society. Dedicated to creating culturally authentic Indigenous books and resources that foster moral and cultural education, they currently have over 70 titles in circulation across Canada and the United States. Each book is developed in collaboration with Indigenous storytellers and Elders, ensuring every word and image is shared with authenticity and respect. Though they were initially focused on educators, Medicine Wheel Publishing’s mission is to help all readers engage with Indigenous culture and teachings in a meaningful, authentic way.
Interview with Teddy Anderson, Publisher, Medicine Wheel Publishing
From a small press to a nationally recognized publisher, how would you describe Medicine Wheel Publishing’s journey over the years?
At Medicine Wheel Publishing we are very grateful to be part of a greater ongoing change. With Truth and Reconciliation efforts underway across Turtle Island, it is so important that we all learn the truth so we can move forward together. Medicine Wheel Publishing’s journey is to help authors convey truth in a way that doesn’t compromise in how it’s told, but rather enhances and supports it. What makes our publishing house so unique is that authors have complete autonomy over how they tell their stories, which ensures authenticity.
To Medicine Wheel Publishing, becoming a Nationally recognized publisher is exciting because it signals that people are listening – listening and attempting to move forward together.
With more than 70 books now published, how do you decide which stories to publish? Are there particular themes or gaps you’re seeking to address?
There are a few steps to the process of deciding to publish a book. The first is usually a consultation on whether the script or story fits into our program. Oftentimes, we seek out support from our Elders and Teachers Council, which advises us on potential issues, including cultural concerns and other important roadblocks that could arise. This way we can approach the project with open eyes and hearts, ready to fully take on the project.
There are still gaps in our catalogue that we would like to fill, such as publishing more stories by queer authors, young adult and middle grade novels, books that tackle STEM from Indigenous perspectives, among other things.
How do your books help teachers and schools engage with Indigenous topics beyond surface-level inclusion?
Teachers and schools love our materials and books. Medicine Wheel Publishing was originally called Medicine Wheel Education because our original focus was to help educators teach culture without fear. So many people, especially teachers, are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. Although this is a beautiful intention, it can feel limiting. So Medicine Wheel Publishing was created to offer a safe place for teachers to engage with our books and resources as everything is approved by Indigenous authors. It helps take away that fear.
What does your process look like for collaborating with Indigenous storytellers and communities, both during and after publication?
For us, everything comes down to the relationship. Although we sign legal agreements, the more important aspect to me as the publisher is the cultural handshake. It means showing up in a good way, working hard and being vulnerable. People are trusting us with their stories, so we do what we can to deserve that trust by guiding them and offering our publishing expertise. It’s important to us that the story belongs to the storyteller – we don’t make decisions about the book without approval from the author.
What conversations or cultural shifts do you hope your books inspire in non-Indigenous families?
I would love to see more and more readers being open-hearted to learn what Indigenous Peoples continue to face in Canada. I encourage non-Indigenous families to step into an uncomfortable, yet safe place, to learn the truth, to show up and try to be good allies. No process or effort will ever be perfect… that doesn’t mean we can’t try.
What’s a moment in your publishing journey that made you stop and feel deeply proud?
Every time I see an Orange Shirt, I get goosebumps. Working with Phyllis Webstad, a founding member of Orange Shirt Day, as well as the Orange Shirt Society, I have seen the power of story, truthtelling, and resilience. I mean, watching a Residential School Survivor speak about their truth and inspire a nation is very exciting. Medicine Wheel Publishing plays a role in amplifying and advocating for Phyllis’s voice.
Another moment that I love is when authors get their book for the first time. Usually they smile or they cry. It’s really exciting to see how we worked together to bring something to life and it’s one of my favourite moments as a publisher.
How do you design your stories—through both words and visuals—to resonate across generations while staying true to the cultural teachings?
I think the answer to this question is lots of practice, effort, and time. And this question is an important one, as we never want to dim or squash the truth or cultural teachings in a story. As the author has final say over what goes in and what goes out, it allows my team to offer many suggestions knowing that the author has the power. This creates space for authenticity and creativity.
Consultation is critical to our process. MWP staff members have a variety of experiences and come from various backgrounds, so we consult as a team, present various ideas to the author and then allow the author to decide how to proceed. There are many steps along the way. For example, the authors receive mock up sketches before moving to colour images.
Throughout the process, we are constantly thinking to ourselves about cultural sensitivity and making sure that we are in line with cultural values and beliefs.
What role do visuals play in reinforcing the moral or cultural teachings in your stories, especially for younger readers?
We are very lucky to have worked with incredible Indigenous and non-Indigenous illustrators. Having an illustrator come in and take on a project, it’s pretty incredible to watch the story or book come to life. I think illustrations offer their own perspectives on things and it’s really important, especially children’s books, that illustrators are honoured and respected.
What gives you the most hope about the future of Indigenous storytelling in publishing?
I believe Indigenous storytelling is unique and beautiful. From what I have experienced, it doesn’t just speak to Indigenous Peoples experiences, rather the teachings can resonate with everyone. I have seen, over and over again, how cultural teachings can inspire people to learn and grow. It’s very exciting to witness. In a world of chaos, I believe Indigenous principles and teachings can ground us and set us on a journey of understanding together.
I believe if more and more non-Indigenous people took to heart the teachings related to Mother Earth, our relations to each other, being one with ourselves, seeing ourselves as all part of the circle, etc… imagine the world we will live in.
In order to tell Indigenous stories in a good way, the publishing industry will need to include and consult Indigenous communities to find out what their needs are. What are Indigenous creators trying to accomplish? Can we evolve ourselves to help them, especially in regards to Truth and Reconciliation efforts? For example, we have expanded into publishing educational board games on Truth and Reconciliation and colonization which has proven successful. I would encourage all publishers to get a little uncomfortable, as our world needs us to learn and grow in order to stay relevant. Seeing more and more organizations take on this call gives me hope.
Medicine Wheel Publishing has been publishing books since 2016. It’s been almost 10 years and it’s very exciting to look back on what we have accomplished as a community of authors, Elders, illustrators, staff members, designers, editors, distributors, bookstores, libraries, wholesalers, reps, etc… We have a lot to be proud of and I look forward to helping inch our country to Truth and Reconciliation.
Learn more about Medicine Wheel Publishing, discover authors, and purchase books on their website. Look out for announcements on their Instagram page, or stay connected and informed by signing up to their newsletter.
