We're here to build a unique space where our strong voices come together to fuel each others' fires and see our stories and experiences represented.
kindling & sage magazine is a print and digital publication that centres the voices of emerging and experienced creatives of the Global Majority. We're building a feisty community where we learn from each other and ignite our individual and collective fire. We are a safe space to share ideas, experiences, knowledge and perspectives to strengthen our communities and inspire.
kindling & sage magazine + community was born out of need. We wanted to hear from people that looked like us, reflected our experiences and drew on our knowledges. We wanted to share our rage at being limited and sidelined, validate each other, and also build a collective fire that pushes us further. Above all, we wanted to see and hear from others like us and contribute to our communities of solidarity and change.
Our platform aspires to be a place where we call out, shout out, create sparks and inspire change.
Pay the Rent
We believe that there will be no racial justice until there is justice for First Nations People. As settlers on stolen land, it is our responsibility to amplify, support and take action to achieve justice.
We pay our respects to all Traditional Custodians across the continent, particularly the Gadigal and Wangal People, and their Elders, past, present and future. We acknowledge that they were the first to tell stories and create culture and communities on this continent. We recognise that they continue to do so today.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the deep knowledge and connections First Nations people have to the land, sea and communities. We recognise the incredible strength and resilience they have while withstanding profound and ongoing injustice.
We exist in solidarity with all First Nations Peoples. We pay the rent with 5% of our income from each edition. In Issue n°1, we paid the rent to Wirringa Baiya. For Issue n°2, we paid the rent to Deadly Connections. For Issue n°3, we paid the rent to Seed Mob. For Issue n°4, we are paying the rent to Mudgin-Gal.
Want to learn more about Pay the Rent? Click on the link to learn about the history, examples and practicalities of Paying the Rent:
Pay the Rent Grassroots Collective
https://paytherent.net.au/whypay/
our journey,
so far…
Issue n°1: Identity
‘…This collection of writing and conversations called kindling & sage is meant to be just that: a collection of writing and conversations. By no means do the individuals represent their different communities. We represent ourselves, our stories and lived experience, our work and thoughts. We live at intersections of gender and race, but we do not represent the experiences of all those who live at the same intersections. While representation is diverse, there’s no limit to diversity…’
Artwork by Karena BravoIssue n°2: Artistry
‘…Artistry is defined as the creative skill of an artist. At the heart of this issue are conversations with multidisciplinary artists who use their talents to make powerful work that moves and also advocates. Throughout, we talk about being for ourselves (and others) what we needed when we were younger, as well as breaking cycles to create a better future for generations to come. Artistry is at the service of the issues the artist cares about, and what greater gift (and responsibility) is there than using whatever we have at hand to be good ancestors?
Within the pages you now hold are the voices of more than 30 contributors. As with our first issue, our articles and interviews showcase a broad range of lived experiences, written and spoken without artifice or pretence; honest, open words we share with love for our readers. While this issue’s focal point is artistry and creativity, intersecting themes include solidarity and community, identity, and mental health…’
Artwork by Emma IsmawiIssue n°3: Joy
‘…Joy is generous, and allows for many other feelings and emotions to join her. In this issue, joy is accompanied by nostalgia and longing (by saudade), by hope, pride in sovereignty, even by righteous anger. It is found, in lingering moments and memories, and created, in self-care, in community care, in the connections we form and hold dear, with our family and our culture, our community, in the spaces where we are our true selves. For many of us, it is also found in cherished moments with our elders. The act of honouring their teachings and love, their strength and fight, is also a source of joy.
Solidarity fuels joy too. Recognising that our liberations are interwoven, that we are stronger together. Without a doubt, across these pages are many different realities, backgrounds and experiences. What brings us together is solidarity, as a deliberate and ongoing choice to work alongside each other, to genuinely support one another in our efforts to build a new reality. Our magazine is not just a celebration of our differences, we’re not here just to applaud and encourage, we’re not sharing empty, cliched words. As bell hooks has said, we affirm our differences to shape how we live in the world. And it’s a political choice, as most things are…’
artwork by Nani Puspasari