CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - Oct. 19, 2004) - Enbridge and the
Dominion Institute today launched two national projects that create
opportunities for Canadian Aboriginal writers to revisit great moments
in our Nation's history and encourages all Canadians to explore the
significance of these events from the perspective of our First Nations
peoples. The launch was celebrated at Calgary's Forest Lawn High School
with a reading and discussion with Aboriginal and other high school
students led by contributing author and actor Tantoo Cardinal.
The first national project announced was the launch of Our Story, the
first book of short stories featuring nine leading Canadian Aboriginal
authors who were invited to write a story about a defining moment in
Canadian history and its significance for First Nations Peoples and all
Canadians. The launch marks the release of the book into stores across
Canada.
This launch was married with the announcement of The Canadian Aboriginal
Youth Writing Challenge, the first national, creative writing
competition that encourages Aboriginal young people between the ages of
15 - 18 years to continue the storytelling started in Our Story by
writing their own stories about Canadian history.
"The culture evident in each of our communities, indeed in Canada as a
whole, is really a collection of stories we each tell from our own
perspective," says D'Arcy Levesque, Director, Public & Government
Affairs for Enbridge. "Enbridge believes it is important to provide
inspiration and opportunities for Aboriginal people to participate more
fully in this storytelling so all Canadians have a fuller understanding
of who we are and who we will become. We're pleased to partner with the
Dominion Institute to inspire both established and emerging Aboriginal
writers through these two new projects."
Our Story invites readers to revisit Canadian history through the voices
of leading Aboriginal writers from across the country, including Tantoo
Cardinal, Tom King, Tomson Highway, and Drew Hayden Taylor. (A full list
of contributors attached.) It follows the success of the short story
collections Story of a Nation (Doubleday 2001) and Passages to Canada
(Doubleday 2002), which featured contributions by notable Canadian
authors such as Timothy Findley and Margaret Atwood.
The Canadian Aboriginal Youth Writing Challenge provides an opportunity
for Aboriginal youth from across the country to have their voices heard.
In addition to uncovering the budding creativity and talent of youth,
the sharing of the competition winners' stories will help educate all
Canadians about the moments that have shaped our country and its people.
A judging panel of celebrated Canadians, such as journalist Rachel
Qitsualik, author Lee Maracle, Toronto-based playwright Drew Hayden
Taylor and actor Tantoo Cardinal, will review the short story entries
(800-1400 words) and award ten entries annually. The deadline for the
augural 2005 submissions is May 6, 2005. Visit www.dominion.ca for
contest rules and regulations. The winner and nine finalists will each
receive cash prizes, national recognition and the opportunity to tell
their stories for all Canadians to hear. (Competition details attached.)
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