Calling Indigenous Children in Canada: Share Your Story!

 

Are you between 8 and 17 years old?

are you a member of an Indigenous community in Canada? 

Do you have creative ideas and a story to tell?

This is your chance to become a published Child Author!

We invite you to write a creative short story that focuses on children’s rights, sustainability, and a better future for everyone! This is your chance to share your thoughts and dreams about how the world can be a better place for Indigenous children and their communities.

The Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative, working with the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation, is looking for stories that celebrate resilience and healing and promote awareness about the rights of Indigenous peoples.

 

Get Ready to Participate!

Who Can Enter?

  • Indigenous children between 8 and 17 years old from Canada whose families or communities have been impacted by the Sixties Scoop.


    Story Theme:

  • Your story should feature child characters that represent your community and cultural heritage. It should raise awareness about Indigenous children’s rights and encourage others to understand the importance of those rights, as described by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.


    What Should Your Story Include?'

  • You can submit a full story (1,200-1,500 words) or a story idea/outline (200-300 words) with the commitment to develop the full story if selected. We’re looking for creative and imaginative stories where young heroes solve problems, dream of a better future, and show us how to make the world a more fair and sustainable place for all children.

  • In your application you will also need to include a short 100-word biography about yourself. 



Prizes and Rewards:

  • There will be Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes to the best stories, including medals, certificates, and cash prizes ($300 for gold, $250 for Silver, and $100 for Bronze)

  • The top winner will have their story published as a book, illustrated by a professional illustrator, and shared with readers all over the world!

  • Silver and bronze winners will join a special group of young leaders, called Child Ambassadors, to help raise awareness about children's rights and inspire change.


    Selection criteria:

    The story ideas will be judged for: 

    (1) Originality.

    (2) Creative thinking.

    (3) Alignment with the fundamental principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and a minimum of one of the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

    (4) Emphasis on addressing at least one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on the most pressing issues, solutions, and the distinctive cultural aspects of Indigenous communities in Canada.

    The selection of winning entries will be conducted by VOFG CI’s Indigenous Leadership Commission, comprising descendants and survivors of the Sixties Scoop, along with a panel of esteemed experts and Indigenous agencies.


Important Details to Remember:

  • Your story should be set in Turtle Island (Canada) and told from the perspective of a child.

  • Your story must connect to Indigenous children’s rights and highlight the cultural richness of your community.

  • Your story could also focus on important goals like environmental sustainability and creating a better world for future generations.


How to Enter:

For inspiration, you can read past winning stories by Indigenous Child Authors that were published such as The Brothers' Reunion by Sydnee Wynter Amie Nisyok and Finding the Language by Adelyn Newman-Ting

Not sure how to begin? check out our webpage with creative writing resources that will help you get started with your story!

Need help? Schedule a mentorship session with our team through our contact form.

Grab your pen, let your creativity flow, and share your story with the world! Your voice is important, and we can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

This program is supported by a generous grant from the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada.