ONLC HOME /Turtle’s Back Publishing
A Division of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition
Mission & Vision
Established in 2019, and members of the Association of Canadian Publishers, Turtle’s Back Publishing, a division of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition aims to publish Indigenous works that strengthen and amplify Indigenous knowledge.
We provide publications developed and created by Indigenous writers, broadening the purpose of advocating and promoting Indigenous literacies through the voices of all Indigenous North America.
Turtle’s Back Publishing is presently seeking manuscripts in the following genres:
Graphic Novels
Playwrights
Poetry
Short stories (nonfiction/fiction)
Nonfiction/Fiction
Submission Guidelines
Sending us a book proposal, please note:
We are an Indigenous publishing house that creates resources for adult learners, and a division of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition (ONLC).
We only publish “un-published” Indigenous authors/artists and ask for proof of Indigenous heritage.
Please only send us your submission by email.
Submissions must include a cover letter, a synopsis, and must be limited to several sample chapters/pages.
Editorial comments will not be provided unless you submission is considered for publication.
Cover letters must contain a summary of your submission and how it fits into ONLC and TBP’s mandate.
Include a short biography and contact information.
Include a general marketing plan (How do you think we promote your book?).
For submissions of short stories nonfiction/fiction, please include a detailed table of contents.
All material must be double-spaced, in 12 pt. font size, and in Times New Roman or Calibri font.
Please indicate if your submission is a multiple submission. We understand that your time is valuable as is ours. We only ask that you share with us if you have submitted your manuscript.
Please note that we are a small publishing house and may be unable to respond to each submission individually. If you do not receive a response within five (5) months, you should assume that we have decided that your project is not right for us at this time.
Please send your submission by email, as follows:
In the Subject line include genre, name of project, and your name.
Example: Query: Graphic Novel [TITLE] by [YOUR NAME]
If your cover letter is an attachment, please provide a short description of your submission in the email itself.
Attach your manuscript in a separate Word document or PDF only. For security reasons, please do not send links to shared documents. They will not be opened.
If you are submitting a Graphic Novel and you have been working with an illustrator, please include samples of their work or finished art (copies only).
Additional digital images may be submitted as a JPG or PDF format.
Email your submissions to TBP_manager@onlc.ca.
Good luck!
Finding Ga’nigǫhi:yo follows Stephanie, a young woman of mixed Cayuga and non-Indigenous heritage, who has spent the past decade living in the city, disconnected from her roots. Growing up, her mother— who was taken from her own home as a child—carried few answers and even fewer stories to pass on. Now older, Stephanie feels the weight of that absence. She wants to learn, but the path forward is unclear: who can teach her, and where does she begin? Her journey shifts unexpectedly during a school trip to a museum, where a mysterious spirit appears—one determined to guide her back to what was lost. Through this encounter, Stephanie is drawn into a powerful exploration of Haudenosaunee history, culture, and identity, experiencing stories shared through generations.
Finding Ga’nigǫhi:yo brings foundational teachings to life—from Skywoman and the Creation Story to the contest of the twin brothers, the origins of the clan system, the lessons of the corn husk doll, and the Seven Dancers in the sky. Alongside these stories are more recent histories, addressing the lasting impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, residential schools, and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).
Visually striking and emotionally grounded, this graphic novel offers both an accessible entry point and a deeply meaningful experience for community members. At its heart, Finding Ga’nigǫhi:yo is a story of reconnection—a return to language, tradition, and identity—and a tribute to the enduring strength and resurgence of Haudenosaunee people.