Canadians of aboriginal ancestry - status, non-status, Inuit, or Métis - have the chance to take part in a contest until the end of March. The Aboriginal Arts & Stories contest, presented by Historica Canada, invites youth aged nine to 29 to submit written works or visual art exploring aspects of aboriginal history and/or culture.
The contest receives hundreds of entries from young writers and artists across the country. These entries are judged by a jury of accomplished aboriginal authors, artists and community leaders who select the winning submissions. Winners are published locally and nationally and have their works permanently displayed on the Aboriginal Arts & Stories website. They also have the opportunity to attend a winners’ celebration where they receive cash prizes.
Xavier York of Thompson, a student at Westwood Elementary School, won the Aboriginal Arts & Stories emerging artist award in 2015 for his pencil self-portrait of himself grass dancing. There were more than 500 entries last year.
Aboriginal Arts & Stories accepts submissions on a wide variety of subjects. Past entries have addressed themes of cultural identity, history and myth, spirituality, language loss and revitalization, the environment, family, and residential schools. This year, in honour of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Aboriginal Arts & Stories has created a feature category on the history and legacy of residential schools and is highlighting the importance of the topic by offering two additional prizes for entries addressing the theme of residential schools.
The deadline for Aboriginal Arts & Stories submissions is March. 31. Hopeful writers and artists can submit their work online, by mail or by fax. For more information visit www.our-story.ca.
