2009: The Authors Behind the Stories
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 Jang
Age 15 Telkwa, BC The Hiatsk Aboriginal Community: Wet'suwet'en |
 | Maynan Robinson
Age 18 Winnipeg, MB The Might of Oneness Aboriginal Community: Bunibonibee Cree Nation |
 | Kigen McGregor
Age 17 Birch Island, ON The Hunter Aboriginal Community: Whitefish River First Nation |
 | Emily Moen
Age 17 Salmon Arm, BC Invisible Aboriginal Community: Métis |
 | Tan John
Age 17 North Vancouver, BC My Soaring Eagle Aboriginal Community: Métis |
 | Spiritriver Striped Wolf
Age 15 Calgary, AB Tears from a Grandma's Story Aboriginal Community: Piikani Nation |
 | Damon Cameron
Age 16 Duck Lake, SK Tommy Prince: A Hero Aboriginal Community: Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation |
 | Nelson Martell
Age 14 Saskatoon, SK Driver's Seat Aboriginal Community: Waterhen Lake First Nation |
 | George Cheechoo
Age 16 Moose Factory, ON Land of the Natives Aboriginal Community: Moose Cree First Nation |
 | Terry Randy Awashish
Age 17 Opitciwan, QC Le temps de fêtes Aboriginal Community: Atikamekw |
Age category 19-29 | |
 | Howard Adler
Age 28 Ottawa, ON Johnny Seven Fires Aboriginal Communities: Lac des Mille Lac First Nation |
 | Kailee Carr
Age 27 Port Alberni, BC Qu?ušin (Raven) Aboriginal Community: Nuu-chah-nulth, from the Ahousaht First Nation |
 | Shawna Louise Snache
Age 28 Rama First Nation, ON Super Scones Aboriginal Community: Rama and Georgina Island First Nation |
 | Victoria Bouvier
Age 29 Calgary, AB Nipin and the Rocks Aboriginal Community: Métis Nation of Alberta Zone III Calgary |
 | Gya’us’dees (Michael Glendale)
Age 29 Victoria, BC Lady Mae Aboriginal Community: Da'nax'da'xw |
 | Mary Diamond
Age 24 Verdun, QC My Name is Benjamin Aboriginal Community: Waskaganish, QC |
 | William Prince
Age 23 Winnipeg, MB The Night I Met My Grandfather Aboriginal Community: Peguis First Nation |
 | Maria Starr
Age 26 Winnipeg, MB Richard's Story Aboriginal Community: Sagkeeng First Nation |
 | Night Keepness
Age 28 Regina, SK Young, Aboriginal, Missing Aboriginal Community: Ochapowace First Nation |
 | Christine Michell
Age 23 Agassiz, BC Breaking the Cycle Aboriginal Community: Seabird Island Indian Band |
