7th Annual Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta and Nhung Tran-Davies are happy to announce the launch of the 7th Annual Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write!
Because of the generosity of sponsors like Author Jeananne Kirwin, we will award three scholarships this year: 1st place $3000, 2nd place $2000, 3rd place $1000.
Our vision is to effect positive changes in our community through stories.
We are so happy to welcome back Tlicho Dene author Richard Van Camp, Nicole Harrish and Jacqueline Guest as this year’s judges!
Deadline: December 15, 2023
Submission Guidelines:
If you are an emerging First Nations, Métis or Inuit writer and mother living in Alberta and are interested in applying for the Kemosa Scholarship, please send the following to [email protected]
1. A sample of your writing (no more than 15 pages) — either prose, poetry, nonfiction, fiction and/or illustrated literature, e.g. graphic novel, comic, etc.
2. A cover letter describing why the scholarship is important for you.
3. Previous entrants may resubmit, as long as you have not won a scholarship within 24 months.
4. The deadline for scholarship submission is December 15, 2023. Winners will be announced in early 2024.
2023 Winners
Winners for the 6th Annual Kemosa Scholarship were (with judges remarks):
- First Place ($3000): Falon Fayant – Shadow of the Moon
“Epic storytelling! The writing is riveting. I love it. More! More!” - Second Place ($2000): Josephine Small – Eagles Songs R Me
“I feel we are witnessing a visionary finding their voice.” - Third Place($1000): Brittney Whitford –A Day at A Time
“This writing is soaked in pain. Thank goodness writing is sometimes the best
therapy there is.”
Read more about the 2023 winners
History of the Kemosa Scholarship
The Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write was launched in 2017 by Nhung Tran-Davies to help aspiring writers focus on their creativity and find time to write, and to help give voice to Indigenous mothers who write. The Kemosa Scholarship awards 3-5 prizes annually.
Nhung Tran-Davies:
As a Vietnamese immigrant to Canada, I am fascinated by the stories of this land and its people. In 2017, after speaking with renowned author Richard Van Camp and learning more about the struggles of Indigenous women, I was moved to found the Kemosa Scholarship for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Mothers Who Write.
As a writer and mother of three young children, I know how difficult it is to find time to write. Financial constraints can make this time even more difficult. Fortunately, I also work as a physician and therefore, I felt that I, in some way, could help my fellow aspiring writers focus on her creativity, to help give voice to Indigenous mothers who write.
In its first year, my intention was to award $1000 scholarship to an emerging Indigenous writer, but because of the high calibre of the submissions, I, in the end, awarded scholarship funds to four emerging writers.
Our Gratitude
Co-Sponsors:
Donors:
- Pam Clark
- Jacqueline Guest
- Ellen Kartz
- Shari Narine
- Audrey Whitson