Aboriginal youth are being invited to submit their best piece of creative writing to the James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Award.

This new youth award is named in honour of former Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman for his outstanding service as Ontario’s first Aboriginal Canadian Lieutenant Governor.

The award program is open to all Aboriginal youth, regardless of where they live in the province; however, young people must be currently enrolled in school in order to be eligible for the program. All types of creative writing are acceptable. This includes, but is not limited to short stories, songs and poems.

Deadline for entries is May 31, 2008.

The author of each winning entry will receive $2,500 and an all-expense paid trip for themselves and two members of their family to Toronto to attend an award ceremony.

QUOTES

“When I was a young person books and libraries opened up a world of hope and possibilities for me,” said Bartleman. “During my term as Lieutenant Governor I tried to bring those same feelings and experiences to Aboriginal young people. This award will serve as an ongoing reminder about the power of the written word and the need for hopes and dreams.”

“The Bartleman Awards give Aboriginal young people a forum to tell their stories,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. “I hope that many Aboriginal young people from across Ontario access this program and participate in it. They and Ontario will be benefit.”

“This program provides an opportunity to build upon the critical work that His Honour has done in the area of literacy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the province,” said Michael Bryant, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

QUICK FACTS

• In August 2007, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced an award would be established as a tribute to Lieutenant Governor Bartleman’s term in office. (March 2002- September 2007)
• Bartleman was Ontario’s first Aboriginal Canadian Lieutenant Governor.
• Other Ontario awards named after previous Lieutenant Governor’s include the Lincoln M. Alexander Award and the Hilary M. Weston Scholarship.

Forms may also be obtained by calling the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat at 416- 314-7526 or by email to OntarioHonoursAndAwards@ontario.ca

CONTACT

Coralie D'Souza, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-6204
Lily Pavlovic, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7725