BY TROY SEBASTIAN
Editor’s Note:
In its October issue, Q&Q ran a personal essay by Angie Abdou about the consultation process she undertook with the Ktunaxa Nation Council to include a Ktunaxa character in her new novel, In Case I Go. Subsequent to its publication, Q&Q has learned that the essay – intended to educate authors on the process through her own experience – has issues that need to be addressed.
Ktunaxa writer Troy Sebastian has written a response, which has been reviewed by the Ktunaxa Nation Council. We thank them for their valuable time and insight, and also thank Abdou, who has also actively participated in follow-up discussions. Q&Q takes responsibility for the misrepresentations, in particular for suggesting in the headline and subhead that Abdou had “gained permission to use Ktunaxa stories,” which was not the case. In sharing the following essay, we hope to take the first step toward a better relationship with the Ktunaxa Nation.