On the Mysterious Power of Language
“In languages, we encapsulate the individual and communal mental and spiritual contemplative efforts of a people—each unique.”
Creative Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Student 2020
Writing Contest Honorable Mentions
Long Road Home
“A man walked into an El Paso Wal-Mart, training his aim on families gearing up for back-to-school. Mothers were armed with carts with new backpacks, markers, glue, and notebooks.”
Little Peculiarities
“A low rumble sounds gradually then all at once the train rounds the corner toward the road. Wind rushes across my face as it tears past. In its wake, the penny spins from the rail, flattened smooth.”
Fyre
“It started off as little specks of smoke and eventually turned into a single fire all in one. As I reached the ground, I went as fast as I could in the opposite direction of the flames.”
You, Wynter Adalyne Lulamae Shepherd
Wilhemena of the Summit by Deborah Teller-Tsosie of Diné College
You were the biggest surprise. You survived a full term plus two weeks without me knowing. I found out about You on Your birthday, February 7, 2017. I was scared and confused and not sure what to do. But when …
Open Field Playground
Depth of Field by Alisha Valdez of the Institute of American Indian Arts
Thirty-six years ago, one of the challenges I had to overcome was moving from Farmington, New Mexico, to a remote area called Whitehorse Lake community. At first, it was hard to adapt with no electricity or running water. I grew …
Finding Cheryl
Green by Miranda Lauren Sanders of College of the Muscogee Nation
I was once told that if you don’t know your clan, you aren’t really Mvskoke. The first time I heard this, I felt pretty hurt and confused, as if they were accusing me of pretending to be Mvskoke. It made …
Shell
Cosmic Vision by Sebastian Vela of the Institute of American Indian Arts
I like to dive and devour. I dive into books, scroll through the writer’s word patterns and appreciate their craft. I can devour libraries, but never the same book twice. The varied worldviews that an author can deliver, in comparison …
Exhalation
Hood Life by Bree Brown of Dine' College
I am because I chose to be. I am thankful I saved my life to be who I am now. I fell in love at 19 with a 21-year-old guy from around the block. I saw him around the way …
Autumn’s Reign
Tree of Life by Brooke McNae of College of the Muscogee Nation
All I knew was that I lost one of my best friends. Then, I cried hard, like a dam bursting.