Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 23/99) - Morgan Erikson's love of art and history has landed her a trip to a colourful, national event -- the Canada Day 1999 party in Ottawa.

The Grade 6 student at Yellowknife's Koinonia Christian School has been declared the winner of a Canada Day Poster Challenge contest launched by the Canadian Heritage foundation.

"This means I get to go to Ottawa and meet the prime minister and join up with all the other contestants," said Morgan.

One winning submission from each territory and province was selected by the Celebrate Canada Committee and incorporated into a giant calender titled "It's All About Heroes" -- which include renditions of Terry Fox, John A. Macdonald and the Mounties.

But for her own hero, Morgan chose political activist Nellie McClung -- a force behind women gaining the right to vote in Canada.

"The posters are about heroes, and she is a role model for women," said Morgan. "I first saw her in a children's book and also at a display at the legislature -- and when I was doing my poster I looked her up on the internet."

Morgan used pencil crayon and marker to depict a red-headed McClung seated at a desk surrounded by symbols of Canada.

"I was just thrilled on hearing the news," said Koinonia School Principal Karen Stride-Goudie. "It was excellent that one of the kids the school not only won the contest but gets to represent the whole NWT."

Morgan, whose efforts also earned the school $1,500 toward its computer lab, was the centre of attention on Monday as Sue Heron-Herbert, coordinator of the Celebrate Canada Committee, presented her a laminated copy of her poster and a Canada Day back-pack.

"I think it's great that she chose Nellie McClung," said Heron-Herbert. "It's terrific that young girls are recognizing women as heroes."

Also on hand at Monday's ceremony was Morgan's family. All three of her siblings attend Koinonia and her mother, Laurel, and father, Dale, also dropped by.

Dale Erikson said he was very pleased with Heritage Canada, because even though Morgan's prize includes a ticket for herself and an adult to fly to Ottawa, the Erikson's have decided to turn her trip into a family vacation, and Heritage Canada promised to include them all in the children's events.

"This is excellent," he said. "It's really a boost for her self-esteem and it's about all the positive things you want for your child."

Heron-Herbert also gave backpacks to Morgan's brother Lance and sister, Mallory -- who received honourable mention for their entries -- and promised one to "future artist" Jordan, 4.

"They're all very artistic -- like their mother," Erikson admitted. "Not like me."