Jordanna George!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve reviewed some fabulous submissions from early-career Black and Indigenous creators. It’s always difficult to choose, but this year, we’re thrilled to share that Jordanna George of T’Sou-ke Nation in Sooke, BC will be the recipient of the third annual Conundrum Press Mini-Comic Bursary for Black and Indigenous Creators.

This $1000 bursary for developing and emerging creators was established in 2020, in solidarity with anti-racist protestors fighting for crucial change against systemic racism. The bursary can be used towards any expense George feels will further the creation of their current project—a supernatural comic.

“I’ve always had a love of monsters, especially vampires, and I’m fascinated by the ways queer people have used them as metaphors for their experiences,” says George. “I’m also passionate about Indigenous storytelling and self-representation, and the combining of traditional styles and themes with contemporary modes of expression. This comic takes a painful truth of colonialism–the ways it has ripped Indigenous people from their cultures, communities, and spirits–and conveys it through the metaphor of vampirism: a gradual process that transforms the victim from their true self into something that matches the perpetrator, to assimilate them through isolation from their own communities and a growing dependency on a colonial way of living. While I also create and value work centred on Indigenous joy, this comic is my way of also being honest in my Indigenous anger and sorrow, and turning those feelings into healing through art.”

George already has exciting plans for the bursary.

“As this comic is set on the Northwest Coast during the 19th century (time of contact), I need to do further research around traditional Coast Salish clothing, architecture, and tools, as well as clothing worn by European settlers of the time,” they say. “While the latter is well-documented, reliable resources on the former are more limited. I plan to use this bursary to travel to my home community and to the BC Archives where I can dig into my research, as well as purchase books and other materials to use for reference. The bursary will also help me print physical copies of the book once it’s finished.”

We can’t wait to see this project develop. Congratulations, Jordanna!

About Jordanna George

Jordanna George hails from the T’Sou-ke Nation in Sooke, BC. They hold a BFA in visual art from the University of Victoria, and now live in Coquitlam, BC on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, and Kwikwetlem nations. As a queer biracial illustrator and comics artist/writer, they love exploring themes of identity, belonging, and hope–especially pertaining to LGBT+ and Indigenous narratives–and combining these themes with their love of fantasy and sci-fi. They can be found online at jordannageorge.com and as @raebirdart.

Media Contact

To arrange interviews or for other requests, please contact publicist Sal Sawler at sal@conundrumpress.com.