Indigenous Voices of Canada:

Heart, Hope and Land

an International Human Rights Art Movement, New York, “Hear the Voices” publishing project


Kelly Kaur, Editor

Call for submissions! Submissions close May 1, 2024

Email your submission to submit@humanrightsartmovement.org


The International Human Rights Art Movement's publishing initiative, IHRAM Press, is accepting submissions for Indigenous Voices of Canada: Heart, Hope and Land, a print anthology of Indigenous culture and experience in light of Indigenous history in Canada, highlighting Indigenous authors and artists.

Submission Guidelines: We would like to invite you to submit your unpublished works in one of the following categories,and we ask for first world rights.

  • Authors and artists may submit poetry or fiction, and essays up to 2500 words each or digital images of visual art.

  • All written work must be submitted in English; however, submissions originally written in other languages will be considered in tandem with its English translation.

  • Authors may submit (1) piece of written prose work or up to 3 poems in .doc or .pdf format, Times New Roman, Font size 12, Double spaced.

  • Artists may submit up to (5) pieces of visual art in .jpeg, .jpg, or .png format in hi resolution (300 dpi).

There is NO submission fee. Each writer or artist accepted will earn a $25 stipend.
Email your submission to submit@humanrightsartmovement.org before May 1, 2024, in the following format:
Subject Line: Indigenous Voices
1. Your full name and/or pen name.
2. A brief third-person bio (2-5 sentences)
3. A brief forward to your piece, explaining your inspiration for writing the piece, background information, explanation of key characters, and any other key insight for the reader.
Please ensure your submitted piece follows the above guidelines. Pieces will be judged for quality, as decided on by the IHRAM Publishes team, as well as adherence to our signature principles of beauty as a fundamental creative value; sincerity and vulnerability of presentation; opening doorways of engagement and celebrating the diversity of the Canadian experience at home and around the world. Each selected writer or artist will earn a $25 stipend, regardless of number of pieces accepted.

There is no fee to submit
Deadline: May 1, 2024

What they’re saying about us…

A meeting place for arts, human rights and the government.  This is a new kind of coming together.
Dr Sarah Sayeed, Senior Advisor in the NYC Community Affairs Unit, specializing in Muslim outreach

IHRAF is one of the only festivals of its kind. The world urgently needs artists who are creating work about human rights - especially at this point in our divisive times.
Christina Evans, Performance Artist, California

The reaction of enthusiasm from the audience showed us that IHRAF was more than just a festival to perform at--it was a platform for artistic exchange on how to use the arts to challenge the world.  Love the work IHRAF does!
Shilpa Darivemula, Aseemkala Initiative

I have so much gratitude to be welcomed under the diverse & inclusive umbrella that is IHRAF.  It is a gift to receive support from an organization that truly understands the role of art and it's intimate connection to activism, as a vital component to the sustainability and positive growth of our world.
Mara Rosenbloom, pianist, improviser, composer, educator

This is truly a festival for everyone and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform at the IHRAF. Tom is a real thought leader who has a clear vision of the role of the arts in the current world. The festival was also a great place to connect with other passionate artists and become inspired. 
Sora Baek, Playwright/Performer

Of many festivals in NYC, this one aligned perfectly with my own values and the values that are inherent in my show. A great organization, very accommodating and supportive of the performer. They had a real plan for marketing that assured a good house. Start to finish, I couldn't have been more pleased with my IHRAF experience.
Mark Lanham, Playwright/Performer

In my view, IHRAF is one of the most powerful movements of the 21st century, and it is here to stay.  IHRAF has revolutionized human rights through the use of arts.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat

The International Human Rights Art Festival is doing an amazing work by empowering creative writers and providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to create lasting change. By fostering a community of artists and activists united in their pursuit of social justice, IHRAF has established itself as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, harnessing the transformative power of art to make the world a better place.
Stanley Umezulike, Nigeria

The International Human Rights Art Festival is the platform of possibilities and eternal optimism. It is IHRAF founder Tom Block’s brave vision that gives these new, emerging and established writers and artists an opportunity to stand up for what they believe in through their art and writing. His initiatives and projects encourage, invite and spur change to happen. Without doubt, thanks to Tom Block’s unwavering support for human rights and the arts.
Kelly Kaur, Singapore/Canada

The International Human Rights Art Festival has been featured in the New York Times, Fox Five Morning Show, NBC Live!, NY Observer, Crain’s NY Business, Metro-NY, AM-NY, Gay City News, Brooklyn Rail, and many others; we have been banned by the Catholic Church, lionized by politicians and government workers and have presented more than 1000 artists from 103 countries in our half-decade of existence!