James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award winners...

Jenna Camire, age 12, from Kenora; Sophie Bender-Johnston, age 18 from Toronto; Bineshiinh Smoke-LeFort, age 11 from Six Nations; Jared Bissaillion, age 16 from Thessalon; Parker Waswa, age 12 from Fort Hope and Charmaine Thomas, age 16 from Big Trout Lake are each a winner of the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award. The students receive $2,500 and a trip to Toronto with their families. James K. Bartleman was Ontario’s first Aboriginal Lieutenant Governor. From 2002-2007, he implemented four literacy initiatives for Aboriginal youth across Ontario. The Youth Creative Writing Awards have, so far, been given to 24 Aboriginal youth. “The excellent calibre of writing by this year’s recipients conveys profound stories about Aboriginal life in Ontario that touch the heart of anyone who has the privilege to read it,” said Bartleman about the recipients.