Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge Celebrates Aboriginal Youth
If you follow the timeline of my people it extends far into the past. The Innu have made Labrador their home for thousands of years. My teacher said, on flying over and seeing the land for the first time, “rough land – tough people”. That is the truth. Throughout our history, we have been hunters, nomads following the caribou herds; living on the land in harmony with nature. In the recent past, however, that has all changed.
*Excerpt from the winning entry of Candace Toma.
Aboriginal leaders, youth, esteemed authors, artists and members of the community gathered at the Design Exchange in Toronto, ON. on June 6 to celebrate the winners of The Historica-Dominion Institute’s 2011 Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge.
Presented by Enbridge - our 7th year supporting this program - the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge is a national initiative for Aboriginal youth. Participants between the ages 14-18 and 19-29 are invited to write a short story or create a piece of two-dimensional artwork about a defining moment in Aboriginal history. The winning entries are selected by a jury of esteemed Aboriginal authors, artists and leaders.
"Enbridge takes pride in our continued partnership with The Historica-Dominion Institute for the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge," said D’Arcy Levesque, Enbridge’s Vice President, Public and Government Affairs."Through writing, and now, through the visual arts, young Aboriginal Canadians are sharing their stories and experiences with the rest of Canada, allowing for a better understanding of the Aboriginal culture.”
Congratulations to the Writing Challenge winners, Candace Toma (14) from Natuashish, NL and Alyssa Megan General (23) of Ohsweken, ON as well as Arts Challenge winners, 17-year old Taylor Thom from Gift Lake, AB, and 26-year old Joseph Tisiga, from Whitehorse, YT.
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge was born in 2005 and in 2010 The Historica-Dominion Institute announced the launch of an expanded Challenge in 2010-11 called the Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge.
Learn more about the authors and artists and read and view their work.
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