http://www.our-story.ca/youthWriting.html
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge
Are you a young Aboriginal writer with a story to tell?
Are you between the ages of 14-18 or 19-29?
Showcase your creative writing and win great prizes!!
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is fun and easy and there is no charge to enter. Simply choose a moment in Aboriginal history and explore it through a piece of creative writing. The event selected should be tied to Canada's past and/or your ancestral history. It can date as far back as a traditional legend or as recently as the June 2008 apology for residential schools. We encourage you to be creative in your choice of writing styles.
- Participants must be of Aboriginal ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis).
- The age categories are 14-18 and 19-29.
- Entries to the 14-18 age category should be no longer than 1400 words.
- Entries to the 19-29 age category should be no longer than 2000 words.
- Along with your creative writing, please complete a Participant Submission Form and 200-400 word Author's Statement that explains why you chose to write about the historical event you selected.
- As the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is an educational program for young Canadians, we ask that you refrain from including inappropriate or profane language or content in your writing.
You can send us your entry by March 31, 2009 in one of following ways:
- by email to staff@dominion.ca.
- by mail to: The Dominion Institute
183 Bathurst St., Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M5T 2R7
Remember to include the following with your submission:
- Your piece of creative writing that is previously unpublished (maximum 1400 words for 14-18 age category, or maximum 2000 words for 19-29 age category)
- Your Participant Submission Form that includes the contact information of a teacher, counsellor or community leader.
- Your 200-400 word Author's Statement that explains why you chose to write about the historical event you selected.
- 1st Place Winners in each age category will receive: a $2000 cash prize; an all-expenses paid trip to a major Canadian city with a guardian to receive his or her award at a special reception with a group of Aboriginal leaders and authors; and an excerpt from his or her story published in The Beaver: Canada's History Magazine.
- 2nd Place Finalists in each age category will receive a $1000 cash prize.
- 3rd Place Finalists in each age category will receive a $500 cash prize.
- 4th to 10th Place Finalists in each age category will each receive a $100 cash prize.
- All Top Ten Finalists in each age category will have their story published on the contest website, and receive a copy of Our Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada's Past (Doubleday Canada, 2004).
- All participants will receive a Certificate and Letter of Recognition from a member of the Advisory Committee acknowledging their hard work and participation in the program.
- Group entries of ten or more are eligible for additional prizes.
Questions?
Call us toll-free at 1-866-701-1867 or email us at staff@dominion.ca.
The Dominion Institute
183 Bathurst St., Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M5T 2R7
