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http://www.our-story.ca/index2.html

A challenge for Aboriginal youth (15 to 18 years of age) across the country to write a short story about a defining moment in Aboriginal history. Students will have the opportunity to win great prizes and be profiled on TV. 

This is a chance to educate Canadians about the moments that have shaped our country and its people from an Aboriginal perspective.

The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2005. An Advisory Committee of Aboriginal authors from across the country that includes authors Tantoo Cardinal and Lee Maracle will judge the submissions. The results of the contest will be announced on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st 2005.

Participants should read the Contest Rules in greater detail before applying and then Submit a Story following the submission process.

Prizes & Recognition:

First Place:

• The student with the first place entry will receive a $500 cash prize.
• The first place student will travel to Ottawa with a guardian to attend a special event and read an excerpt from his or her story to a group of Aboriginal leaders and authors.
• The first place student will be interviewed and profiled in a Canadian Learning Television and Book Television TV Feature.
• The First Place student will have an excerpt from his or her story published in the Beaver Magazine.

Top Ten Entries:

• Students who place in the top ten will receive a $200 cash prize.
• The top ten stories will be published on the Project Web site.
• The top ten students will receive a copy of the Our Story Publication (Doubleday Canada, 2004)

All Entries

• All participants will receive a Letter of Recognition from the Institute’s Director acknowledging their hard work and participation in the programme.

Contest Rules

Aboriginal Students are asked to pick a moment or period in Aboriginal history and create a fictional short story that is based on this history. The event selected should be tied to Canadian history and/or the participant’s ancestral history.

Entry is free for all participants. The prizes and the rules and regulations are outlined below. Participants should read the guidelines carefully and ensure that they submit all the requested material. For more information call 1-866-701-1867.

• Participants must be of Aboriginal ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis).
• Participants must be between 15-18 years of age.
• Participants must be currently (at the time of entry) attending a Canadian high school or working toward a home school or long distance education equivalent.
• Participants will submit a Short Story that is previously unpublished and between 800-1400 words in length.
• Participants will also submit a 200-400 word Author’s Statement that explains the significance of the historical event/period in history selected.
• Participants will include a Letter of Support from a teacher, guidance counselor or community leader. The letter must include the educator’s or leader’s full name, address and phone number.
• Participants will include the following personal information in a covering letter or in the text of their e-mails (Name, Address, Phone Number, Grade Level and Age).

 Submit a Story

Participants should submit their entries (including the Short Story, Author’s Statement and Letter of Support) by midnight May 6, 2005. Participants can submit their entries by e-mail to staff@dominion.ca or by mail to the address below. The original Letter of Support must be sent by mail. All mail submissions should be postmarked no later than May 6, 2005.

Dominion Institute
183 Bathurst St., Suite 401
Toronto, Ontario
M5T 2R7
For more information call 1-866-701-1867.