Aboriginal Writing Challenge inviting submissions for this year's competition
Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge
By The Dominion Istitute, Toronto, ON (Mar 23, 2007)
Are You An Aspiring Young Aboriginal Writer? Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge receives submissions from across the country
Media Release ...
March 23, 2007 – Calling all young Aboriginal writers interested in winning cash prizes and receiving national recognition.
The Dominion Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge.
Building on the success of previous years, young Aboriginal writers will submit stories that interpret defining moments in the history of this country and its Aboriginal people. The Institute is expected to receive submissions from across Canada showcasing the talents and creativity of young Aboriginal authors.
The winners of the 2006 Challenge, Sable Sweetgrass from Calgary, Alberta, and Alicia Elliott from Ohsweken, Ontario, were presented with an award and cash prize by Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations at ceremony in Ottawa. Alicia’s winning essay, entitled Across the Barricade, described the land dispute in Caledonia from the point of view of a Native protestor and Caledonia resident. Sable’s winning essay, entitled Maternal Ties, told the tale of a young woman’s display of a baby cord amulet and elk tooth dress at her graduation ceremony as a way of honouring her family and heritage.
Sponsored by Enbridge Inc. and organized by the Dominion Institute, Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is a national initiative for Aboriginal youth. Winners are selected from two age categories - ages 14-18 and 19-29.
The first place winners in each age category receive a cash prize and a trip to Ottawa. Each story will also be published in The Beaver: Canada’s History Magazine. Students who have a story in the top ten, as selected by an expert Advisory Committee of Aboriginals authors and leaders (see below), receive a cash prize. All winning essays are published online and all participants receive a certificate of recognition for their participation.
The deadline for this year’s contest is June 29, 2007.
Students and educators interested in learning more about the contest should visit www.our-story.ca or call 1-866-701-1867.
The Dominion Institute is a national charitable organization dedicated to promoting Canadian history and civic culture (www.dominion.ca)
Advisory Committee:
- Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada - Honorary Patron
- Chief Patrick Brazeau - National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
- Tantoo Cardinal (Actress and Author) - Committee Member
- Tomson Highway (Playwright and Author) - Committee Member
- Brian Maracle (Journalist and Author) - Committee Member
- Lee Maracle (Writer) - Committee Member
- Rachel Qitsualik (Journalist and Author) - Committee Member
- Drew Hayden Taylor (Playwright and Author) - Committee Member
- Tresley Tourond – Committee Member
- Marilyn Dumont (Theytus Books) – Committee Member
For Further Information Contact:
Jeremy Diamond
Dominion Institute
Tel: 416-368-9627
Mobile: 416-722-9754
Email: jeremy@dominion.ca