Thunderbird is now a press

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is starting its own teaching press, which it’s calling Animikii Mazina’iganan: Thunderbird Press. The press aims to publish innovative, culturally significant, high-quality works in English or Anishinaabemowin. The first publication, “Fur Trade Nation,” by renowned artist Carl Gawboy, will be released this spring.

“After more than a decade of publishing The Thunderbird Review, our annual literary journal, it’s time to see what more we can do for our community,” said Kelly McCalla, FDLTCC vice president of academic affairs.

As part of the tribal and community college’s land grant status, the Thunderbird Press will publish manuscripts that contain information useful to the various communities served by the college. The press aims to publish manuscripts that generate a greater understanding of the region’s past, bring communities together to address the concerns and problems of the present, and/or ensure that generations to come can live a good life in the region. At this point, the press is limited to publishing one manuscript each academic year.

A release party for Gawboy’s book will be hosted at FDLTCC April 30.

“I’ve loved Carl’s book since I saw the first set of drawings,” said Rain Newcomb, Thunderbird Press editor and English faculty member.