It started as a school project and now it’s morphed into a full-blown contest on Facebook.
As part of their Grade 9 social studies class, Steveston-London secondary students Veronica Xia, Jessie Hall and Janice Chan were tasked with a project themed “meaningful change.”
And, after the group came to realize how First Nations people were a “large part” of Canada’s identity, the poetry-loving trio wanted to bring some attention and awareness to what they call the “unjust treatment” of the aforementioned culture.
That’s when they thought of organizing a poetry contest as part of their project and are now accepting entries from other Richmond students Grades 5 through to 9.
“We had to think of a current issue that dates back to the industrial revolution,” said Janice.
“So, we started a Facebook page for Richmond students to submit their poems and donate at least a dollar.
“And we’re contacting elementary teachers to spread the word also.”
All proceeds from the contest, said Janice, will be donated to a local Aboriginal organization, in order to “create meaningful change and help First Nations of Canada.”
n Entry regulations: Submissions should be from students in Grades 5-9: include a creative title for your poem; base your poem on an issue that Aboriginals identify with as a result of unjust treatment; make sure all your facts are accurate, and please do not plagiarize; if you feel the need to, you may also include a short paragraph explaining the point of view, issue discussed, or any symbols.
You can email your poem to [email protected] with your full name, grade and school. Or go to their Facebook page Facebook.com/pg/YPOETS. The closing date is March 31.
“If we get enough entries, we would like to arrange an event where the winning students can present their poems in public,” said Janice, who explained the top 10 per cent of entries will be picked as the winners.
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