Two young writers from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory are this year’s recipients of the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing A

Two young writers from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory are this year’s recipients of the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award.

Two youth from Nishnawbe Aski Nation were among the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award winners. Top row: From left to right, Christian Scriver, 10, from Toronto, Fawn Thompson, 13, from Tyendinaga, Colin Quin, 16, from Toronto, Nancy King, 16, from Rama, Mavis Oskineegish, 15, from Wunnumin Lake, Cote Monias, 11, from Ogoki Post. Bottom Row: James Bartleman, former Lieut.-Gov. of Ontario, David C. Onley, Lieut-Gov. of Ontario and Michael Chan, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. -Tessa Buchan - submitted photo

Cote Monias, 11, from Ogoki Post and Mavis Oskineegish, 15, from Wunnumin Lake are the two NAN members who won awards.

Honourable James K. Bartleman was Ontario’s first Aboriginal Lieutenant Governor. During his term in office from 2002 to 2007, he implemented four literacy initiatives to give Aboriginal youth access to reading materials.

The creation of the annual award continues Bartleman’s legacy of literacy for young Aboriginals.

“The written word can allow you to travel to distant places and experience new worlds. I am proud that these recipients are accomplished storytellers and writers at a young age,” Bartleman said in a press release.

The other award recipients are Christian Scriver, 10, from Toronto, Fawn Thompson, 13, from Tyendinaga, Nancy King, 16, from Rama and Colin Quin, 16, from Toronto.

The award recipients each received $2,500 and a trip to attend the award ceremony, which was held Nov. 30 at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

Last year there were three young people from the NAN territory who were award recipients.
Best Friend

Say You’re Sorry That face
of an angel comes out
Just when you need it to
as I paced back and
forth all this time cause
I honestly believed in
you holding on The days
drag on I should’ve known
I should’ve known that
your not my best friend
standing at your back
door thinking about the
things that you would’ve
said to me because I was
a dreamer before you went
and let me down now it’s
to late for you and your
best friend to get me now
cause this ain’t Holly
Wood This is a small town
I had so many Dreams
about you and me

By Cote Moonias, Ogoki Post Age 11

Cote is recognized in the fly-in community junior category for his song Best Friend.
In the lyrics of the song, Cote tells us what it is like to be a friend to someone who is selfish, and the consequences of being selfish in a small town.

My Life,

The sun is setting to the horizons of the west
It is intricate just like my test of life,
I have tried my best even though it has been full of strife,
I have cried for many years
And I have listened to many voices,
I’m just a teenager with absolute anger issues
You should cover your ears and look in the mirror,
Or else walk away, as you always do
Before we become deeply involved,
I have come up with a solution
Don’t you dare not listen,
You see, I am like a seed
I need air to breathe,
I can glisten when I am ready,
Some day I will shine and outgrow my obstacles and my tears,
When I am ready and when I do
The horizon will be fine, and this life will be mine.

By Mavis Oskineegish, Wunnumin Lake Age 15

Mavis is recognized in the Fly-in community senior category for her poem My Life.

As Mavis explains, she wrote My Life to show adults what it is like to be a teenager. She began to write this poem after being inspired by a sunset.