By Carrie Bradshaw-Buckley, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
ADA - The Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities announces an exciting invitation to Chickasaw students and young adults to enter the 2009 Chickasaw Youth Creative Writing Contest. Winners in three age divisions will win cash prizes, medals and have original works published.
Open to enrolled citizens of the Chickasaw Nation, youth in grades six through 12 and young Chickasaw adults through age 24 may enter up to three works in this year’s contest in three categories: poetry, short story, and narrative or essay. A panel of judges will evaluate original works based on age division, category of work, how well the writing relates to the topic, artistic form and literary expression.
The deadline for entries is Friday, February 27, 2009. This year’s theme for all entries is ‘Remembering Our Past, Building Our Future.’
“The annual Chickasaw Youth Creative Writing Contest is not only an opportunity for Chickasaw youth to develop in the literary arts, but also a wonderful means to showcase the gifts and talents of young Native authors,” said Lona Barrick, administrator for the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities.
Young writers can get started early on literary work for the contest at an after-school Writer’s Workshop to explore the topic and to enhance writing skills. After-school workshops will be conducted throughout the Nation on the following dates and at these times and locations:
Tuesday, Jan. 13 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tishomingo Area Office, 815 E. 6th Street
Tuesday, Jan. 20 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Purcell Area Office, 1603 S. Green Avenue
Wednesday, Jan. 21 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Kingston – Chickasaw Children’s Village
Tuesday, Jan. 27 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Ardmore Area Office, 39 N. Washington
Monday, Feb. 9 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Ada – Sugg Building 2nd Floor, 100 #. 13th Street
Contest winners will be announced March 17 and awarded cash prizes and medals at 11:00 a.m. on March 28, during the Chickasaw Nation Youth Arts Month Celebration at the Community Center in Ada.
In the 2008 contest, young writers like Byng Junior High School student Mercedes Milligan won first place for her short story in her age division. Her story of a Chickasaw girl who was captured by another tribe was titled, “The Treaty of the River.”
Her story began, “The young Chickasaw girl, Shatara, stood with the warm, spring air blowing through her hair and the tepid water of the river flowing gracefully over her feet. She had finished filling the pots with fresh water and had begun to listen to the rustling of the leaves and the small cries of a hawk up above.” Ms. Milligan was one of 12 youth winners in the 2008 contest.
Full details about the contest, the after-school Writer’s Workshops or downloadable entry forms may be found at http://www.chickasaw.net/. Completed entry forms along with proof of tribal citizenship must be submitted with entries on or before Friday, February 27, 2009.
For more information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities at (580) 272-5520, or email laura.clark@chickasaw.net.
