Celebrating Young Indigenous Voices: From Sea to Sea to Sea
A Writing Contest for Indigenous Youth Ages 8-12
IBBY Canada, with support of the IBBY Yamada Fund, is delighted to announce a new writing contest for Indigenous youth ages 8-12 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, and in celebration of the 40th IBBY World Congress. From August 6-9, 2026, IBBY Canada will welcome the world of children’s literature to Canada—and celebrate Indigenous voices from Turtle Island and from around the world at a very special evening at the Canadian Museum of History!
We’d love to hear your voice! Are you:
A member of an Indigenous community on Turtle Island?
Between 8 and 12 years old?
Creative? Imaginative?… With a story to share?
Themes
Echoing some of the themes of the books included in From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, stories no longer than 750 words told in fiction, non-fiction and poetry—and inspired by listening to the voices of others, and your own, are welcome!
Voices of Elders, grandparents, or family. What story would you share about spending time with and listening to the voices of your Elders, your grandparents or family?
Voices from the land. What story would you share about spending time in the natural world and listening to the land?
Voices from the animal world. What story would you share about listening to animals?
Your own voice. What story would you like to share from your own imagination?
The winner of the contest will be invited to attend and read their work on the Celebrating Indigenous Voices evening at the 40th IBBY World Congress in Ottawa from August 6-9, 2026. The Congress will welcome over 400 national and international IBBY friends for three days of connection, culture, celebration—and exploration of the Congress theme of Listening to Each Other’s Voices.
The winner will also receive all 175 books from the From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books collection for their local library or school.
The works of a number of finalists, along with the winner, will be published in an anthology that will be produced by the creators of From Sea to Sea the Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books and will be shared online and with attendees of the IBBY World Congress. The finalists and winner will receive copies!
A Few Contest Rules
The contest is open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices between the ages of 8 and 12 years at the time of entry submission.
The submission must:
Be an original unpublished work of fiction, nonfiction or poetry no longer than 750 words.
Submitted in English or in an Indigenous language accompanied by an English translation.
Written by a single author. Co-authored pieces are not eligible.
Include the written consent to participate from the parent or legal guardian.
Additionally:
There is only one entry per applicant. Pick your best work!
Submissions created using artificial intelligence tools are not eligible.
The contest opens for submissions September 15, 2025 and the deadline to submit is January 26, 2026.
Thank You Judges!
Indigenous writer-editors Nancy Cooper (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) and David A. Robertson (Norway House First Nation) will select the contest winner based on a list of finalists determined by a volunteer committee of Indigenous and non-Indigenous librarians and writers.
Celebrating Young Indigenous Voices: From Sea to Sea to Sea
A Writing Contest for Indigenous Youth Ages 8-12
IBBY Canada, with support of the IBBY Yamada Fund, is delighted to announce a new writing contest for Indigenous youth ages 8-12 in celebration of the 10th anniversary of From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, and in celebration of the 40th IBBY World Congress. From August 6-9, 2026, IBBY Canada will welcome the world of children’s literature to Canada—and celebrate Indigenous voices from Turtle Island and from around the world at a very special evening at the Canadian Museum of History!
We’d love to hear your voice! Are you:
Themes
Echoing some of the themes of the books included in From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, stories no longer than 750 words told in fiction, non-fiction and poetry—and inspired by listening to the voices of others, and your own, are welcome!
Submit Your Work
Please submit your work using this link.
Please reach out to alberta@ibby-canada.org if you are unable to use the form
Prizes
The works of a number of finalists, along with the winner, will be published in an anthology that will be produced by the creators of From Sea to Sea the Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books and will be shared online and with attendees of the IBBY World Congress. The finalists and winner will receive copies!
A Few Contest Rules
The contest is open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit voices between the ages of 8 and 12 years at the time of entry submission.
The submission must:
Additionally:
The contest opens for submissions September 15, 2025 and the deadline to submit is January 26, 2026.
Thank You Judges!
Indigenous writer-editors Nancy Cooper (Chippewas of Rama First Nation) and David A. Robertson (Norway House First Nation) will select the contest winner based on a list of finalists determined by a volunteer committee of Indigenous and non-Indigenous librarians and writers.
We’re looking forward to hearing your voice
• For contest rules, please visit here.
• For ideas and inspiration—and to learn more about From Sea to Sea to Sea: Celebrating Indigenous Picture Books, please visit here .