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 …
Creative Nonfiction
In Print
Nonfiction
Student 2019
Writing Contest Winners
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.
Mother Corn’s Promise
Coming Full Circle by William Bowstring of Leech Lake Tribal College
This would be the end of my traditional way of life. I would no longer hear the whispered sounds of my language, the singing, the laughter of my people, the smell of burning cedar.
Tobacco Seeds
Exploring Asthetics by Mikayla Patton of the Institute of American Indian Arts
My goal was to encourage as many Indigenous people as possible to grow their own tobacco.
Shame
Distopia by Tia Kescoli of Haskell Indian Nations University
Their eyes scanned me up and down, not even pausing in their conversation to each other as they did so.
Strawberry Fields
Moodle Doodle by Shaniah Kabigebi of Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
Choking on ditch weed, riding the clutch, and cranking the Beatles, we were off with Geoff perched on top of his car roof.
The Duality of Gender and Sexuality
"Our Lady of Kinaaldá" by Marvin McKenzie of Dine' College
What is gender to you? What is sexuality, in your mind? I believe I have a very miniscule right to have an opinion on this very interesting and highly debated topic because first of all, I do not identify as …
Pumpkin Hill
Learning to Pray by Olivia Peters of Bay Mills Community College
My heart lives in Montana. When I close my eyes, I find myself sitting on the concrete underneath Mikushi’s clothesline. I played on it every day, hanging upside down staring at the sky. Even now, I can close my eyes …
A Long Way from Home
A Water Protector's Boots by Chaz John of the Institute of American Indian Arts
Picture it. The judge telling you that you are to move to another state 1,000 miles away: away from everything and everyone you had known your entire life. My baby sister was almost one, but she would be in good …
The Falling of Leaves
Even the most turbulent storms eventually come to an end. A band-aid made of rainbows will temporarily cover the blue sky’s wounded soul, until it has healed and a bright new day begins. Ramona sat upon the weathered bench positioned …