“For All My Relations” Essay Contest

Posted: May 29th, 2012 8:09pm

Who Can Participate: Native American students enrolled in grades 5th – 12th.

Length and Language: 1200 – 2500 words. Essays must be a minimum of 1200 words but not exceed 2500 words.

For Winning Authors: First place receives $300, second place receives $150, and third place receives $75.

Deadline: June 30, 2012

Theme: Living Proof. Native nations continue to make great strides in governance, economy, education and social welfare. We work daily to triumph over generations of destructive federal and state policies that sought to end our political, cultural and social existence. We are the living proof that our people did not just “survive,” we continue to “thrive.” The theme of this year’s For All My Relations Conference is “Living Proof”. We can all look to historical examples, heroic figures and personal anecdotes that speak to our resiliency and determination. Each one of us is “living proof” that the strength, pride, courage and cultural values of our communities continue to thrive.

Write an essay illustrating how you or a member of your family or community demonstrates the “Living Proof” theme in overcoming historic or contemporary challenges.

Rules: Entries will be judged anonymously. Each essay must be original work of the contestant. All essays may be published in whole or part by NIJC. Winning essays will be published.

Submission: Essays must be submitted to NIJC by June 30, 2012. Essays may be emailed to nijc@aol.com or faxed to 707-579-9019 or mailed to 5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

Each essay must be submitted with a page that includes the applicants name, age, grade, tribal affiliation, address, phone number and email.