The Polyglot Issue 18 Seeks Indigenous Language-Inspired Creative Works

 

The Polyglot is partnering once again with Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization (SILR) at the University of Alberta to present Issue 18, a print issue dedicated to creative works that engage with, incorporate, and celebrate Indigenous languages and language revitalization.

Deadline: August 10, 2026
Honorarium: $100 per selected artist

The issue will showcase works that emerged from the 2026 Voices in Relation program, alongside other creative expressions that explore Indigenous languages, reclamation, revitalization, cultural resurgence, and the experiences connected to these journeys.

Eligibility Requirements for The Polyglot

The call is open to Indigenous contributors, including participants of the Voices in Relation program. Collaborative works involving non-Indigenous participants may also be submitted.

Creators at all levels of linguistic experience are encouraged to apply. You do not need to be fluent in an Indigenous language to submit. 

Selections will be based on artistic merit, community impact, and commitment to language revitalization.

What Can You Submit?

The Polyglot welcomes a wide range of creative forms, including:

• Poetry
• Short stories and other literary works
• Visual art
• Photography
• Drawing and painting
• Digital art
• Sculpture
• Weaving and traditional art forms
• Dance
• Music
• Video
• Multimedia and hybrid works

Submissions may combine print and digital elements.

Contributors may submit up to three pieces in total, including a combination of literary and visual works. There is no limit on cover-art submissions.

 

Literary Submissions, Guidelines

• Literary works may be written entirely in an Indigenous language, combine Indigenous and other languages, or be written in a non-Indigenous language while exploring the contributor’s relationship with Indigenous language and revitalization.
• All linguistic levels are welcome. Contributors may write about language reclamation, cultural resurgence, personal experiences, or any other themes connected to their creative practice.
• Translations are optional. Contributors may provide translations, complementary visuals, or reflections in their artist statement to offer readers different ways into the work.
• For writers preparing their submissions, understanding the difference between creative revision and technical refinement can be useful. This guide to elementary copy editing offers an overview of the editing process and how writers can improve clarity while preserving the integrity of their work.

Art Submissions, Guidelines

• Artists may submit between one and three artworks across various media. High-resolution JPEG or PNG files should be submitted for visual art, while video and music submissions should be uploaded as MP4 or MP3 files.
• Cover art submissions are also welcome. Artists submitting work specifically for the cover should indicate this in their submission. An artist statement is not required for cover-art submissions.

Submission Requirements

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Full name
• Current place of residence
• Title(s) of the submitted work
• Language(s) used in the work
• A 100–200-word biography, including the nation or community the contributor belongs to, in whatever form is appropriate
• Social media profiles, if desired
• A 200–300-word artist statement reflecting on the creative process, language use, or themes of reclamation and revitalization that shaped the work

The application allows contributors to upload up to 10 files, with a maximum file size of 10 MB per file.

This guide on balancing showing action and telling emotions offers practical guidance for strengthening creative writing.

Benefits of submitting to The Polyglot

• Each selected artist will receive a $100 honorarium.
• All participants in the 2026 Voices in Relation program who wish to share their work will be published digitally on The Polyglot website. However, this call is specifically for consideration for the print edition of Issue 18.

How to Submit to The Polyglot

Interested contributors should complete the official submission form before the August 10, 2026 deadline.

For questions about the issue, contact thepolyglotmagazine@gmail.com.