On June 24, Hali Heavy Shield, a Blackfoot storyteller, and Heather O’Watch, a Nakota and Plains Cree woman from the Okanese First Nation, were named co-winners of Second Story Press’s 2021 Indigenous Writing Contest.

Shield won for her story My Grandma is an Artist!, which honours art and Indigenous female artists.

“This book is sure to be a hit,” said Nancy Cooper in a press release. “As seen through the eyes of a grandchild, My Grandma is an Artist! conveys the healing power of art and the importance of taking up space in institutions that have not welcomed Indigenous peoples in the past.”

O’Watch’s winning story Auntie’s Rez Puppy is about Cree’s relationship with their auntie. “The Auntie in this story sounds so cool and I can just imagine how exciting it would be when she came to visit,” Jodie Callaghan said. “This story is fun and sweet and has a great message about taking care of our pets and one another.”

Kelsey Borgford was named runner-up for What’s in a Bead?

The three-person jury was comprised of Jodie Callaghan, Nancy Cooper, and Margie Wolfe.