THUNDER BAY — A student from the city has received a James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creative Writing Award, one of 12 presented on the weekend to winners for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Established in 2008 to honour the legacy of James Bartleman, the province's 27th Lieutenant Governor and the first Indigenous person to assume that role, the award celebrates the creative talents of young people and encourages them to share their perspectives and experiences through storytelling.
Kentley Gardner received a citation and $2,500 in Thunder Bay on Saturday at a ceremony attended by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
She won in the junior off-reserve category for her poem Take Me Home.
The Grade 7 student, whose home community is Eagle Lake First Nation, said she was excited to receive the award from the Lieutenant Governor but also felt another emotion.
"I got a little choked up because of what my poem was about. My poem is about my reserve, and going home, but what gave me a hard time was at the end I had written about my grandfather, who had just recently passed."
Gardner said being recognized for her work has helped motivate her to keep writing.
"I'd written it such a long time ago. I've gone through many more contests and tried to win more awards, so I think it's quite encouraging."
Dowdeswell commented that the award recognizes Bartleman's efforts in promoting literacy among Indigenous youth,"and celebrates brave and inspiring voices."
The program, she said, "deepens the province's collective understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures, and ongoing relationships with Indigenous leaders and communities."
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Take Me Home by Kentley Gardner (Ogimaa Pi'ne'sii)
Take me home where the grass is long,
Take me home where the trees are tall,
Take me home where I can be free,
Take me home where I can be me.
Take me home when I need some air,
Take me home when nothing compares,
Take me home where I need to be,
Take me home where I can be free.
Take me home where the eagles soar,
Take me home to the water’s shore,
Take me home where I can be free,
Take me home where I can be me.
Take me home where the drum plays loud,
Take me home to a sky without clouds,
Take me home where I need to be,
Take me home where I can be free.
Take me home where my cousins laugh,
Take me home to the forest’s path,
Take me home where I can be free,
Take me home where I can be me.
Take me home to Kokoo’s hugs,
Take me home to Papa’s love,
Take me home where I need to be,
Take me home where I can be free.
Take me home.
