2025-2026 Call for Proposals
Proposal submission deadline: Rolling
Decision date: Rolling Acceptance
Publication issue: Spring 2025 - Spring 2026

The Circle of Editors of the Pawaatamihk: Journal of Métis Thinkers invites proposals for guest-edited special issues of the journal.

Pawaatamihk welcomes proposals for guest-edited special issues that will help advance our dream of this journal being a nourishing home for Métis thought. Special issues can focus on a wide range of themes; however, it is necessary that the content is relevant (in some way) to Métis life and that it celebrates the ways that Métis thinkers are building knowledge in many different spaces—within and outside of academia.

Pawaatamihk’s commitment toward making space for 2SLGBTQ+ and gender diverse thinkers, scholars at different career stages, and community members not affiliated with academic institutions should also be considered within special issues.

Submitting a proposal
Proposals received for a Special Issue will be reviewed by the Circle of Editors and all submissions will receive a response. Please submit the proposal to the Circle of Editors at pawaatamihk@uwinnipeg.ca. Accepted proposals will receive a timeline and identified deadlines to meet their publication date.

Special issue proposals should include the following:

•  Name(s), contact information and credentials of guest editor(s), credentials with updated CV(s)
• Proposed special issue theme/title
• Rationale for the proposed issue (approximately 500 words). The timeliness, significance, and broad impact should be evident, as well as the gaps in theory/research addressed in the Special Issue
• A list of potential topics relevant to the proposed theme that could be examined in the articles/pieces
• Indication of whether the special issue will involve an open or closed call for submissions
• Description of how the special issue editor(s) will identify appropriate reviewers, and
• Special issue timeline including all stages of the publication process (e.g. release of call for submissions, screening submissions, identification of reviewers, rounds of review, author editing, copy-editing, publication date and promotions)

A typical issue of Pawaatamihk includes the following sections: Community Stories, Scholarly Papers, Visual Culture, Poetry, and Book Reviews. Special Issues must include a Scholarly Articles section with a minimum of four manuscripts and at least two of the other sections in a typical issue of Pawaatamihk: Poetry, Art Feature, Book Review, and/or Community Stories.

Timelines and workload

The workload for Guest Editors is considerable, and this should accord with institutional workload policies, planned sabbatical leaves, and so on. Special Issue editors for Pawaatamihk should designate time for the tasks below in Roles and Responsibilities, as well as extra time if needed. The Pawaatamihk Circle of Editors recommends two guest editors per Special Issue.

Roles and Responsibilities

Guest Editors are responsible for:

• Reviewing Pawaatamihk’s policies and high editorial standards and ensure the special issue meets these expectations. https://pawaatamihk.uwinnipeg.ca/index.php/Pawaatamihk/Policies
• Work in conjunction with the Circle of Editors throughout the publishing process (see below for role of Circle of Editors).
• Be aware of any potential conflict of interest situations that may compromise the integrity of the special issue and communicate such conflicts with the Circle of Editors (e.g. conflicts with author-colleagues who have submitted to the special issue).
  • See Tri-council examples https://ethics.gc.ca/eng/tcps2-eptc2_2018_chapter7-chapitre7.html
• Ensure that all pieces chosen for publication are from Métis thinkers who meet the requirements of Pawaatamihk demonstrated through their community connection statement.
  • Community connection statement—200-word Métis community connection statement for Circle of Editors to understand the author’s kinship ties and responsibilities to the Métis Nation (which might include citizenship, family lines, community relationships, connections to place, etc.). This statement is not published and only used for internal review processes. 
• Provide a timeline from a call for papers to submitting reviewed manuscripts to Pawaatamihk submission portal;
• Issuing an open or closed call for papers as well as securing commitments for submissions from at least 2-3 recognized scholars in the field;
• An outline of proposed articles including working titles, the names and institutional affiliations of contributing authors and community connection statement;
• Overseeing the peer review process: screening manuscripts, ensuring redactions for anonymity, retaining/supporting at least two appropriate reviewers per article, facilitating revision(s) as needed;
• Ordering the articles and preparing an introduction; and
• Publicizing the issue through social media, the Web, email lists, and any other channels available.

The Pawaatamihk Circle of Editors is responsible for:

• Offering support and assistance with regular processes (including screening of and decision-making about submissions, use of our online journal system (OJS), and identifying appropriate reviewers);
• Copyediting and layout of articles; and
• Uploading of final articles and introduction, and publicizing the issue through its regular communications channels.