The NNOC Literacy Fair was nothing short of inspiring. It was a vibrant celebration of imagination, our Cree language, and the power of storytelling within our Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) culture. The event brought together students (from OK School and NNOC), teachers, families, community members, and leaders, all gathered to witness the incredible creativity of NNOC students as they proudly presented their original stories. Each book was unique, reflecting the students’ personal experiences, dreams, and cultural identity from a story that translated between English and Cree (with their help of our NCN Elders), to a poetic tale of a flame expressing human emotion, to a young girl’s journey through a grand entry ceremony. Every story carried its own heartbeat, its own voice.
The fair was the vision of Glenda Moose, ELA Teacher at NNOC, who created the event to highlight the talented young writers of NCN and to encourage our youth to keep on writing. To help students deepen their stories, Glenda arranged an unforgettable field trip to White Wolf Camp, where participants immersed themselves in Cree culture and land-based learning. Surrounded by nature and tradition, they drew inspiration from real-life experiences and lessons that later came alive on the pages of their books.
As the day of the fair arrived, the community showed up in full force. The gym buzzed with excitement as students from OK School toured the booths, each stopping to vote for their favorite stories by placing stickers on the authors’ displays. One young author, beaming with pride after receiving four stickers from the little ones, couldn’t stop smiling and reminded us that, for many, the greatest reward wasn’t winning a prize, but knowing their story made someone happy.
Chief Angela Levasseur shared her pride and admiration for the students, making it a personal priority to read every book and discuss them with other community members. She emphasized how important it is for NCN youth to keep writing and sharing their voices, their experiences, and their stories with the world. Chief Levasseur personally chose her top books, awarding gift cards to the following talented writers:
Chief’s Picks:
- Luma Soul Flame
- Grand Entry Time
- Broken Promise
- Out in the Cabin
The Junior Chief and Council also had a tough time deciding on the Best Book Design, but after much discussion, they selected Moose’s Dream by Julian Spence, acknowledging his creativity and attention to detail.
The event also honored collaboration and cultural storytelling with group awards and special recognition for Cree-language stories:
Group Winners:
- 7 Matches
Story Excellence Awards (Two per placement):
- Full Moon Ceremony & Dreaming Boy
- First Sweat Ceremony & Quiet Place
- Luma Soul Flame & Smudging Circle
Cree Language Awards:
- Cory Sayies
- Ida Francois
- Jessica McDonald
Throughout the day, it was evident that this was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. Parents, teachers, leaders, and peers all came together to support and uplift the next generation of storytellers.
As the final pages of the fair turned, one message stood out, storytelling is at the heart of who we are as Cree people. Our youth are not only keeping that tradition alive, but they are reimagining it for the future. Thanks to NNOC and Glenda Moose, the Literacy Fair reminded us that every story matters, and every young writer has a voice worth hearing.
