Two local youth are recipients of the James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award.
According to the release, the award is given annually to Indigenous Junior (12 years old and younger) and Senior (13 to 18 years old) students for their creative writing talent in three geographic categories: Fly-In Community, On-Reserve and Off-Reserve.
Jasper Ziegler from Whitefish River First Nation has won in the junior on-reserve category and Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory’s Mikayla Denis-Servant has won the senior on-reserve category.
They and the other provincial winners will receive $2,500 and a personalized certificate.
The recipients are chosen by an independent selection committee of members from Indigenous communities. Each recipient of the award receives $2,500 and a personalized certificate.
Officials say Jasper Ziegler’s storytelling blends wild imagination with sharp humour in John and the Tomato Stem, a fairy tale featuring familiar characters, magic tomatoes and a cow named Young Bess.
His playful narrative and unexpected twists showcase a unique creative voice.
Mikayla Denis-Servant’s creative writing piece, My Glow Stick, offers a powerful glimpse into her personal mental health journey.
Through honest and heartfelt storytelling, Mikayla encourages youth to speak their truth and find strength in vulnerability.
