PHOTO CREDIT: Three Irish Girls Photography

TCJ Student’s guest editor, award-winning author Linda LeGarde Grover (Bois Forte of Ojibwe), has announced the winners of the 2025 TCJ Student creative writing contest. “It has been an enriching and moving experience to read the diverse fiction, nonfiction, and poetry submitted to the 2025 TCJ Student. Migwech to all,” stated Linda LeGarde Grover, “We look forward to our literary future in Indian Country with hope, pride, and appreciation for your wonderful creative work.”

The top fiction entries are: “For the Love of the Library” by Danelle Jishie of Tohono O’odham Community College, “Dream Ride” by Curtis Molisto of San Carlos Apache College, and “Old Tires” by Raymond Butler Jr. of Tohono O’odham Community College

The top nonfiction entries are: “Shinálí Asdzą́ą (My Paternal Grandma)́: The Spiritual Strength of My Existence” by Tamara Yazzie of Navajo Technical University, “Life After You” by Danelle Jishie of Tohono O’odham Community College, and “Tale of Told Feelings” by Caleb Secatero of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

The top entries in poetry are: “Heliwr – You Will Know” by Laura Fragua-Cota of the Institute of American Indian Arts, “Plastic Venus Sculpture” by James Benson of Haskell Indian Nations University, and “I Once Knew You, Now I Will Never Know You” by Adrian A. Hardy of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

TCJ Student also recognizes students who earned honorable mention. They include: “With Me Throughout, Even Now” by Marcus Kitchkommie of College of the Muscogee Nation, “The Lightning Man” by Serena Campbell of Nebraska Indian Community College, “Hands of Matriarchy” by Pte San Win Little Whiteman of Oglala Lakota College, “If You Could Grow Up Where I Did” by Andra Hawk-Valdez of Sitting Bull College.

Bradley Shreve, editor of the Tribal College Journal shared, “It’s always such a thrill to read the entries to our annual creative writing contest. The voices of tribal college students are among the most creative, honest, and unique anywhere. We’re looking forward to sharing these stories in TCJ Student.”

The winning students and those earning honorable mention will be published in the 2025 edition of TCJ Student and/or online at TCJStudent.org. The deadline for submissions to the art and film contest is March 14^th.  For contest guidelines and more information, visit: https://tcjstudent.org/contest/