Ankorage, AK. –
The Alaska Federation of Natives is launching a national initiative. Native
Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery & Opportunity is a writing
competition created to tap the wisdom and ingenuity of Native communities, and
to encourage Native thinkers to go public with their perspectives on the
challenges and opportunities in the current economic and political landscape.
“The Native
Insight Competition originated with a surprise announcement during the 2008 AFN
Convention,” said AFN President Julie Kitka, “A great friend of Alaska invited
members of the Native community to share their fresh ideas about the challenges
and opportunities of the current economic climate in writing – and he
volunteered thousands of his own hard-earned dollars to seed the pool of award
money.”
When the
competition winners are announced in October, $60,000 will be distributed among
three Alaska Native winners and three Native Hawaiian/ Lower 48 winners, with
opportunities for their winning essays to be published in Native journals and
magazines across the U.S.
AFN is
partnering with the National Congress of American Indians and the Council for
Native Hawaiian Advancement to reach Native communities across the nation.
“Native communities have a wealth of knowledge and experience from engaging in
commerce and trade over thousands of years.” said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA
president and CEO. “The Native Insight competition is a dynamic platform that
allows the ingenuity of our people to be shared.”
The competition
is open to Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and American Indians of all ages.
500-1,600 word essays are due Sept. 15. Essays must address one or more of
three writing prompts focused on how the Native community can support economic
renewal, what it will take for the American economy to rebound, and what the
American leadership can do to jumpstart recovery.
For more
information on the Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery &
Opportunity, contact the Alaska Federation of Natives at 907-274-3611, or by
email at: compete@nativeinsight.org.
