Writing honours for Indigenous young people
MANITOULIN—The Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Awards commemorate the legacy of Ontario’s 27th Lieutenant Governor by recognizing up to six Indigenous students for their creative writing talent. In addition to the recognition afforded by the award, each recipient receives $2,500.
On Saturday, July 15 two Island youth, Rowyn Kasunich of M’Chigeeng and Mackenzie Simon of Sheguiandah First Nation, travelled to Thunder Bay to receive the honour from the hands of the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Michael Ford, minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism.
There are three geographic categories for the award: fly-in community, on reserve and off reserve (do not live in a fly-in community or on a reserve). A junior student (12 years old and younger) and a senior student (13 to 18 years old) is chosen from each geographic category.
“My story entitled ‘The Chandelier’ was inspired by the Anishnabek Stories of ‘Piyensak’ (the Little People) that I heard in the community,” Rowyn said. “A couple years ago, my cousins and I created mini movies we called ‘Piyensak I, II and III.’ I also added a creative appreciation for suspenseful fiction in my writing, which I have enjoyed from horror stories. While the teachings of Piyensak teach us respect for other beings, a lot of us kids can take them and allow our imaginations to run free. Shared stories are important and fun for kids.”
“I was surprised but felt so happy to go to Thunder Bay. I was also amazed by the other students’ stories, and it was nice to be a part of it all,” said Rowyn. “It gets you thinking about trying more.”
As to “trying more,” Rowyn said, “I am sure I will be writing stories for many more years in school and you never know what will come up. In general, I do like to create things. I enjoy sewing clothing, making projects, drawing, decorating, baking, making inventions, taking care of my pets and making them things, making videos and more.”
Mackenzie, now going into Grade 10, was a Grade 7 student at Little Current Public School at the time of writing and had almost forgotten about having submitted the piece. Mackenzie first learned of being shortlisted when the teacher received an email and was very pleased to learn about having been selected for the writing prize.
The high school student has eyes set on becoming a hairdresser (and has even picked out the school). Writing will remain “something I do on the side,” said Mackenzie, who is currently concentrating on a summer job at Little Current’s 3 Cows and a Cone and concentrating studies on biology and chemistry—subjects that will stand in good stead while studying hairdressing.
