Young Writers Challenged

Page 18

Aspiring young Treaty 7 writers, here's your chance to show your stuff.

What the Spirit and Intent Means to me is the title of an essay writing contest established by the Treaty 7 Tribal Council as part of its upcoming conference. The contest is in honor of the efforts of the great chiefs who signed Treaty 7 in 1877 and it will give young people the chance to express their views and ideas of what the treaty means to them.

"The young people have a lot of good ideas, views and opinions and this contest will allow them to probe the question, think about it, organize and express their ideas into an essay," said conference organizer Dorothy First Rider.

The essays will also differ valuable insight to the Treaty 7 Interpretation Task Force, whose mandate is to find out what the young people know about the Treaty and what can be done to increase their knowledge.

Serious implications have to be considered whenever the federal government introduces or implements new policies and programs, First Rider stressed. It is important Treaty 7 members are informed of these initiatives and what Treaty 7 leaders are doing to protect the treaty and the further abrogation of treaty rights.

Also, the young people may have some innovative ideas or strategies that can be used by Treaty 7 leaders, she said.

A total of three prizes will be awarded, ranging from $200 to $500. Winners will be announced at the Treaty 7 Conference at the Kainai High School, Blood Nation, Sept. 23 and 24.

Applications can be picked up at any Treaty 7 First Nation Administration Office, Education Office of the Treaty 7 Tribal Council at 2710 - 17 Avenue S.E., Suite 200, Calgary.

Deadline for submissions is Sept. 15.