In a vibrant showcase of creativity and cultural expression, we are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Call for Stories written by Indigenous children. This year’s contest, which was possible thanks to a grant from the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada, invited young Indigenous storytellers to share their unique voices and perspectives while highlighting the cultural heritage of their families and communities.
Meet the Winners
GOLD
VIENNA SWAMPY
Story: The Land Before Us
Vienna Swampy is a 13-year-old girl from Samson Cree Nation in Alberta. She loves sports, especially competitive running and is currently on her local track team. When she’s not on the track, she is often found reading classic novels, playing her guitar in her room, and spending time writing. She also loves contributing to her Christian church and focusing on her academics at school. She loves learning her language and supporting her Cree culture and people in every way she can. She has a great desire to be a surgeon someday and help others in need.
SILVER
KIONA JACOBS-PLAIN
Story: Biidaaske and the Echo of Healing
Kiona is a proud Anishinaabe student from Aamjiwnaang First Nation who honors her roots through powwow dancing, spreading Indigenous awareness, and active community involvement. A passionate fancy shawl dancer, she celebrates her culture by performing at local and national gatherings, keeping traditions alive through movement and story. Academically, she maintains honours and is currently enrolled in Grade 11 courses focused on law, psychology, and sociology. These subjects reflect her deep interest in justice, mental health, and community safety. Outside of school, Kiona is an athlete who enjoys playing volleyball, softball, badminton, and slo-pitch. She values staying active and believes sports are a powerful way to build confidence, leadership, and teamwork within youth. She also balances part-time work as a babysitter, volunteering, attending youth programs, and fundraising initiatives. She cares deeply about causes that uplift Indigenous youth, support mental health awareness, and promote equality within communities. She values wisdom, health, kindness, and cultural pride, believing in the power of education and tradition to empower future generations. Her future goals include attending university to double major in criminology and psychology, completing a co-op program, and eventually working as a 911 dispatcher or criminal investigator. Through her voice, actions, and connection to her culture, she hopes to inspire others to embrace who they are, stand up for what’s right, and make meaningful change in their communities.
BRONZE
LISSIE MAKIMMAK USUITUAYUK
Story: The New Moon
Lissie is an urban Inuk living in Kjipuktuk (home of the Mi’kmaq), Nova Scotia, and is originally from Salluit, Nunavik (Quebec). Lissie is active in her local Indigenous community where she learns from Elders about the importance of culture and identity in shaping her future. She spends time in Nunavik twice a year learning more about her Inuit culture and takes part in traditional activities like gathering on the land, sewing, and beading. She then shares her learned knowledge by mentoring local Inuit children who do not have the same access to the North as she does. Lissie’s favourite subjects in school are Science and English. Lissie uses Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) to view the world as she realizes the importance of both in the modern world. Lissie played soccer on Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia at the last North American Indigenous Games in Halifax and was one of the youngest players on the team. She is looking forward to the 2027 games that will take place in Calgary. Lissie is an artist, an actor, and, most recently, a writer. Lissie knows that she is very lucky to live and be welcome in both worlds and that she has a duty to ensure that her Inuit culture continues on for generations to come. Lissie’s story was inspired by the resiliency and bravery of her northern and southern families who have worked together to make sure that she knows who she is and where she has come from. Everyone, including Lissie, is excited to see and celebrate what her future holds.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
MADDY MCCARDLE
Story: Discovering My Roots: Journey To Gayogohó:no
Maddy McCardle is 15 years old and from Calgary Alberta. She was adopted as a baby, and was not sure where she was from but later found out that her birth grandfather and mother are from the Cayuga nation. Maddy enjoys drawing, painting, and sewing ribbon skirts. She played for her high school's junior varsity basketball team placing fourth in South Central Zones 2025. She enjoys school most of the time, her favorite subjects being English, Social Studies, art, and Phys Ed. She likes to be around her friends, and family, especially her little siblings. Maddy has been very passionate about Indigenous studies particularly Truth and Reconciliation, MMIWG, Residential schools and the Sixties Scoop. She would like to help raise awareness about these specific subjects and why they are important to learn about. And also be able to help younger Indigenous kids understand their rights, as well as finding where they come from. Maddy’s goal for the future is to inspire young children with not only this story but her story too, in that you can find who you are and where you come from, along with being proud of your family and culture.
EMMA VISSCHER
Story: Lucy Goes to Buffalo Jump
Emma Visscher is a bright and ambitious 10-year-old student from Calgary, Alberta, with a rich cultural heritage as a proud Métis and Dutch Canadian. Currently enrolled in a French immersion program, Emma is passionate about languages, which fuels her love for learning. A natural storyteller, Emma finds joy in both writing and reading imaginative and fun-filled stories that spark creativity. She has a vivid imagination and enjoys crafting worlds where anything is possible. When she’s not writing, Emma also loves playing basketball and is intrigued by musical theatre. Emma dreams big, with aspirations to one day take the stage on Broadway and dazzle audiences with her performances. She also hopes to write and publish a book, sharing her creativity and passion with the world. With her dedication to her craft and her love for adventure, Emma is on a path to achieve great things in the world of arts and storytelling.
MATHIEU LANTEIGNE
Story: Seven Tries to Freedom
Mathieu Lanteigne is a 10 year-old from Calgary, Alberta, with a big imagination, a love for the outdoors, and a heart full of pride for his Métis roots. With heritage on both sides of his family—his dad from New Brunswick and his mom from Saskatchewan—Mathieu carries a strong sense of identity wherever he goes and is curious to learn more about his ancestors. Mathieu loves staying active, whether he’s on the ice playing hockey or kicking around a soccer ball with his friends. When he’s not playing sports, you’ll often find him drawing, writing stories, or exploring nature with his loyal dog, Rosie, by his side. He has a creative mind and a deep appreciation for art and storytelling, always coming up with new ideas and adventures. Family means everything to Mathieu. He looks up to his older brother, Kyron, and is always looking out for the people he loves. His protective nature shines through in his biggest dream: to become a soldier one day and help protect his country and the people in it. Mathieu is brave, kind, and full of potential—and his journey is just beginning.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants. Your voices are vital, and your stories are a precious gift to us all!
Our deepest gratitude to the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada for making this contest possible and to the Indigenous Leadership Commission for judging the contest entries. Together, we contribute to the empowerment of young writers and to the preservation of Indigenous storytelling for future generations.