Reneltta Arluk has some wise words for up-and-coming Indigenous writers.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne thing that I always encourage Indigenous artists, when theySA国际影视传媒檙e exploring their work is donSA国际影视传媒檛 censor yourself,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪ay yes to yourself first. If you are Indigenous and youSA国际影视传媒檙e writing your work, that work is Indigenous work. It doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to have cultural tropes in it to feel like itSA国际影视传媒檚 authentic.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you want to write a crazy science fiction that has nothing to do with what you think are Indigenous things, just write it. Ultimately itSA国际影视传媒檚 coming from you your bones, your blood, your voice, your imagination. Just allow yourself to create how you need to create.SA国际影视传媒�

The Banff Arts Centre director of Indigenous Arts and accomplished poet and playwright is loaning her expertise to AudibleSA国际影视传媒檚 second Indigenous Writers Circle, a six month mentorship program that includes a $1,500 bursary.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 open to any hopeful writers who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit and/or M茅tis who are at least 18 years old. Applicants must be able to submit a piece of work for assessment, but the program is open to all types of writing.

Successful applicants will be paired off with one of seven mentors, including Arluk but also returning mentor Richard Van Camp and other accomplished writers. Over remote conversations, mentors will help guide students through the creative process as they put together a piece of work of their own.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou get to hang out for like six months with some of the leading Indigenous writers in the country,SA国际影视传媒� said Arluk.SA国际影视传媒滾ast year, there were people who got chosen to be published. So just the experience of learning and going through this process is a value in itself.

SA国际影视传媒淭he greatest value to is that you get the experience to put your name out there and your work out.SA国际影视传媒�

Arluk thanked Audible for putting the program on and providing a voice for writers.

She said the audiobook service has opened the door for her to discover new forms of literature and expand her work to new audiences.

But most importantly, she said the service was creating the space for Indigenous writers to grow, which is vital to ensure people realize these options are open to them.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of reasons why Indigenous people can feel like theySA国际影视传媒檙e not going to be represented, not going to be heard or that the opportunities are not for them,SA国际影视传媒� she noted. SA国际影视传媒淥ne thing that I have learned is that, you know, itSA国际影视传媒檚 we have to create space for people to be a part of this and invite them in. You donSA国际影视传媒檛 sit and wait for people to come to you.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think what I really value about this process is that we are inviting and reaching out for Indigenous writers to engage with us by saying SA国际影视传媒榯his is for you.SA国际影视传媒� We want you to apply, we want you to be a part of this.SA国际影视传媒�

Applications for the Indigenous Writers Circle are being accepted until May 31. For more information, visit their website at https://www.audible.ca/ep/IWC.