The Authors Behind the Winning Stories – 2009

Congratulations to the winners of the fifth annual Our Story - Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge.

We had a great year of creative writing from more than 250 Aboriginal youth across the country. The Historica-Dominion Institute and project partners would like to thank all the participants and congratulate the top 10 winning authors in each age category.

The first place winners in each age category were celebrated at a special ceremony in Calgary on July 22, 2009 together with Aboriginal leaders, artists, activists and local community members.

To read more about the winning writers and read their submissions, click on the links below. If you, or anybody you know, are a young Aboriginal author, please note that the deadline for the 2010 Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is March 31, 2010.

Omushkegowuk Edition Writing Challenge

The Historica-Dominion Institute organized a special workshop series in partnership with DeBeers Canada and CreeWest in five Northern Ontario communities (Moose Factory, Moosonee, Kashechewan, Attawapiskat, and Fort Albany). The workshops by Drew Hayden Taylor, Ojibway storyteller and member of the Our Story Advisory Committee, and Edmund Metatawabin, Cree poet and author of Hanaway.

Group prizes

Congratulations to 2 classes at Jimmy Sandy Memorial School in Kawawachikamach, QC and Oscar Blackburn School in South Indian Lake, Manitoba who each won a class set of books for their group submissions to the competition.


Age Category 14-18

Trevor JangTrevor Jang
Age 15
Telkwa, BC
Aboriginal Community: Wet’suwet’en
The Hiatsk

Maynan RobinsonMaynan Robinson
Age 18
Winnipeg, MB
Aboriginal Community: Bunibonibee Cree Nation
The Might of Oneness

Kigen McGregorKigen McGregor
Age 17
Birch Island, ON
Aboriginal Community: Whitefish River First Nation
The Hunter

Emily MoenEmily Moen
Age 17
Salmon Arm, BC
Aboriginal Community: Métis
Invisible

Tan JohnTan John
Age 17
North Vancouver, BC
Aboriginal Community: Métis
My Soaring Eagle

Spiritriver Striped WolfSpiritriver Striped Wolf
Age 15
Calgary, AB
Aboriginal Community: Piikani Nation
Tears from a Grandma's Story

Damon CameronDamon Cameron
Age 16
Duck Lake, SK
Aboriginal Community: Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation
Tommy Prince: A Hero

Nelson MartellNelson Martell
Age 14
Saskatoon, SK
Aboriginal Community: Waterhen Lake First Nation
Driver's Seat

George CheechooGeorge Cheechoo
Age 16
Moose Factory, ON
Aboriginal Community: Moose Cree First Nation
Land of the Natives

Terry Randy AwashishTerry Randy Awashish
Age 17
Opitciwan, QC
Aboriginal Community: Atikamekw
Le temps de fêtes


Age Category 19-29

Howard AdlerHoward Adler
Age 28
Ottawa, ON
Aboriginal Communities: Lac des Mille Lac First Nation
Johnny Seven Fires

Kailee CarrKailee Carr
Age 27
Port Alberni, BC
Aboriginal Community: Nuu-chah-nulth, from the Ahousaht First Nation
Qu?usin (Raven)

Shawna Louise SnacheShawna Louise Snache
Age 28
Rama First Nation, ON
Aboriginal Community: Rama and Georgina Island First Nation
Super Scones

Victoria BouvierVictoria Bouvier
Age 29
Calgary, AB
Aboriginal Community: Métis Nation of Alberta Zone III Calgary
Nipin and the Rocks

Gya'us'dees (Michael Glendale)Gya'us'dees (Michael Glendale)
Age 29
Victoria, BC
Aboriginal Community: Da'nax'da'xw
Lady Mae

Mary DiamondMary Diamond
Age 24
Verdun, QC
Aboriginal Community: Waskaganish, QC
My Name is Benjamin

William PrinceWilliam Prince
Age 23
Winnipeg, MB
Aboriginal Community: Peguis First Nation
The Night I Met My Grandfather

Maria StarrMaria Starr
Age 26
Winnipeg, MB
Aboriginal Community: Sagkeeng First Nation
Richard's Story

Night KeepnessNight Keepness
Age 28
Regina, SK
Aboriginal Community: Ochapowace First Nation
Young, Aboriginal, Missing

Christine MichellChristine Michell
Age 23
Agassiz, BC
Aboriginal Community: Seabird Island Indian Band
Breaking the Cycle

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