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NWT - Young writers in the North have another opportunity to see their words in print.

The Dominion Institute encourages aboriginal youth and young adults to share their thoughts, feelings and words by submitting their creative writing to the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge.

Corrine Andrew, left, and Shauna Etchinelle were among the 143 Tulita participants in Literacy Week activities at Chief Albert Wright school in 2006. - photo courtesy of Neil Barry

"This year we're really hoping to increase our participation from the North," said program co-ordinator Eliana Busheikin. "We hope to encourage the next generation of Canadian aboriginal authors."

Writers are eligible to compete for awards in the 14-18 and 19-29 age categories. Entries in the youngest category should be no longer than 1,400 words and entries in the senior category should not exceed 2,000 words. Top prize is $1,000 and the publication of the winning entry in the Beaver Magazine.

"We're offering these young people a chance to tell their story to the rest of the country, to express their own heritage and to express themselves in a way that's far-reaching," Busheikin said.

Participants must be of aboriginal ancestry, including status, non-status, Inuit and Metis. Last year about 20 youth from the North submitted writing to the contest.

"We would love to see that number increase," Busheikin said. Two participants from the territory earned places among the top 10 finalists in past years.

In 2005, Tony Liske of Fort Simpson earned recognition for his story, titled Good Child, about Treaty 8.

In 2007, Fort Smith student Kelsea Northrop-Donovan made the top tier with her submission, titled Erased, about the residential school experience.

"Writing contests are always very popular and very well-received in the North," said Mandie Abrams, executive director of the NWT Literacy Council. "We really encourage communities to run and develop their own writing contests. They give an opportunity for people to share their stories."

The annual competition's nine-member advisory committee is made up of award-winning aboriginal writers from around the country, including author Tomson Highway and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor.

Deadline for submissions to the Dominion Institute's contest in both age categories is March 31. For submission guidelines, visit the website at our-story.ca.