Enbridge Presents 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 create a short story that explores a moment or theme in Aboriginal history. 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.

Stories in each age category will be judged by an expert panel of Aboriginal leaders and authors, who make up ourAdvisory Committee.

This year's deadline is March 31, 2010

 

Contest Rules

• Participants must be of Aboriginal ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Inuit and Métis).
• The age categories are 14-18 and 19-29.
• Stories in the 14-18 age category should be no longer than 1400 words.
• Stories in 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.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished work by the submitting author.

 

How to Submit

You can send us your entry by March 31, 2010 in one of following ways:

1. Online (click here)
2. By email to .
3. By mail to: The Historica-Dominion Institute
   43 Front St. East, Suite 301
   Toronto, ON
   M5E 1B3

Remember to include the following with your submission:

• Your short story of original creative writing that is previously unpublished (maximum 1400 words for 14-18 age category, or maximum 2000 words for 19-29 age category)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.

Prizes and Recognition

1st Place Winners in each age category will receive: a $2000 cash prize; an all-expenses paid trip for two to a major Canadian city 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 Canada's History (formerly The Beaver)

• 1st Place Winners in each age category will receive: a $2000 cash prize; an all-expenses paid trip for two to a major Canadian city 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 Canada's History (formerly The Beaver)
• 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 (ten or more individual submissions) are eligible for additional prizes.

Contact Us

Questions?

Call us toll-free at 1-or email us at .

The Historica-Dominion Institute
43 Front St. East, Suite 301
Toronto, ON
M5E 1B3