During its annual writing competition, Tribal College Journal receives entries from students attending tribal colleges across the nation, from Alaska to Arizona, Washington to Michigan. By sending us their poems, short stories, and memoirs, Native and rural students share the experiences of their cultures, families, and daily lives. We are grateful to each and every student who has shared their writing with us—this year and in the many years past.

Learn more about the contest or become a sponsor.

During each competition, the selection process is a difficult one, and this year was no different for TCJ Student Guest Editor Mariana Harvey (Yakama). Today, TCJ is announcing the results of the 2012 student writing competition.

Fiction

Top Three Entries:

“We All Look Alike,” by Jamie Figueroa, Institute of American Indian Arts

“Thunder and Lightning,” by Jennifer Whitewolf, Comanche Nation College

“Of Hand Blooming,” by Monte J. Little, Institute of American Indian Arts

Honorable Mention:

“Where the Ancestors Cried, ” by Stephanie A. Fisher, Salish Kootenai College

“Tikena Tribe,” by Beatresea Kien, Institute of American Indian Arts

“The Bike,” by Chasity Ann Vigil, Institute of American Indian Arts

Memoir

Top Three Entries

“A Collection for My Mother and Father” by Katrina Montoya, Institute of American Indian Arts

“The Blanket” by Jayni Anderson, Fort Peck Community College

“So She Took the Sun with Her,” by Delores Tourtillott-Grignon, College of Menominee Nation

Honorable Mention

“The Whisper” by Jayni Anderson, Fort Peck Community College

“Intersections on the Journey to Higher Learning” by Chad J. Reynolds, Salish Kootenai College

“Smoke Signals” by Elizabeth Sam, United Tribes Technical College

Poetry

Top Three Entries

“Golden Arches and Indian Tacos” by Katrina Montoya, Institute of American Indian Arts

“Letter to June 2032” by A.M. Nelson, Institute of American Indian Arts

“Red Fox” by Loga Fixico, Salish Kootenai College

Honorable Mention

“I  Am Made of Cardboard” by A.M. Nelson, Institute of American Indian Arts

“Daisy” by Loga Fixico, Salish Kootenai College

“Statistically Speaking” by Millicent M. Pepion, Haskell Indian Nations University

The top three entries will be published in the Fall 2012 issue of Tribal College Journal. TCJ subscribers will also be able to read the top winners and the honorable mentions online at www.tribalcollegejournal.org.

We wish to thank all the students who participated, as well as all the faculty members and tribal college presidents who encouraged their students to submit their work.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors who have helped make this writing competition possible. Silver Sponsors include the United States Coast Guard and Western Governors University, and Onyx Sponsors are Crazy Horse Memorial and Navajo Technical College.

For students interested in participating in TCJ’s cover art competition, the deadline is April 13. For more information and an entry form, send an email to editor@tribalcollegejournal.org or visit: http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org/TCJ-student-2012.pdf

THANK YOU to the 2012 student writing contest sponsors: