Nature Speaks: Michif Youth Art Contest

Calling all Métis youth!

We’re excited to invite you to participate in the Nature Speaks: Michif Youth Art Contest! This is your chance to share your unique connection to nature. We’re looking for creative artwork that represents species or natural elements in British Columbia that are important to Métis youth. Along with your artwork, submit a short bio and an artist statement explaining your connection to the species and the meaning behind your artwork. We welcome artwork of all skill levels.

Enter for a chance to win one of five $500 prizes! Selected entries will also be featured in a contest art booklet and on our social media channels.

The Theme

The Nature Speaks: Michif Youth Art Contest theme is about exploring the significance of species (plants, animals, or other living beings) and natural elements (bodies of water, mountains, landscapes, etc.) that hold meaning to you as a young Métis person. These species and natural elements may be important to you personally or culturally. Through your artwork and artist statement, you’ll share how your connection to these species and natural elements shapes your life, community, and relationship with the land.

The following prompts are to help inspire your artwork and guide reflection on your personal connection to nature.

- What species and natural elements have special significance in your life or community? Why are they important to you?
- How do species and natural elements around you shape your sense of belonging or identity?
- If you could tell a story about a certain species or natural element through your artwork, what would that story be?
- Is there a species or natural element that you feel connects you to your Métis culture?
- How do you see the relationship between Métis culture and nature today?
- What do the land, plants, and animals around you teach you about resilience or survival?

Note: All artwork must feature species or natural elements found within British Columbia.

A Metis sash lies on a tree stump by a lake.

Ready to share your art?

Artwork and artist statement submissions will be accepted from March 9 - May 9, 2025.

About Nature Speaks: Michif Youth Art Contest

We're excited to see how you express your connection to nature through art! Feel free to experiment with traditional mediums or explore something new - we want to see your personal artistic expression. We accept a variety of still art forms including:
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpture
- Beadwork
- Collage
- Drawing
- Ceramics
- Fibre Art
- Digital Art
- Mixed Media
Your artwork must be in a form that can be captured as a photo, scan, or still image. Please ensure that your artwork is entirely original. We do not accept any form of plagiarism, copied, or traced work.
Note: AI-generated art will not be accepted, but digital art created by you is welcome.
All artwork must be submitted as a high-resolution digital file (200 MB max) in one of the following formats:
- JPG
- PNG
- PDF
- TIFF
For any questions or support regarding submission formats, please contact us at youth@mnbc.ca.
Each art submission must be accompanied by an artist statement (between 300-500 words). This is your chance to help others understand your artwork and the message behind it!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Subject: Describe the species or natural element you’ve chosen and why it’s meaningful to you.
- Your Purpose: What do you want the viewer to understand or feel from your artwork?
- Influences: Are there any cultural, environmental, or artistic influences that have shaped your work?
- Your Perspective: How does your personal background or experience relate to the contest theme?
- Materials and Medium: Explain the materials or techniques you used (e.g., painting, photography, digital art, sculpture).
- MNBC Citizens and self-identifying Métis
- Between the ages of 15-30, living in BC
Your creativity and connection to nature is something to celebrate! Here’s how your work will be recognized:
- Five selected artists will receive a $500 prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Youth Eco Camp in August 2025.
- Additional artists will have their artwork featured in the contest art booklet and on MNBC social media platforms.
Note: MNBC staff are not eligible for cash prizes but will receive gifts of equal value if selected. Please contact us for other ways you can be compensated.