We Are All Treaty People

Sask. teen ‘Imagines a reconciled Canada’

  • Published - 13/03/2016
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  • Posted By - OTC
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…2036 captures a unified Canada with indigenous peoples

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner celebrates the work of the National Centre of Truth and Reconciliation and we were excited to hear that a Saskatoon-based student was one of ten winners of a contest looking at Canada through a lens of reconciliation. Here is Christopher Sandford Beck’s story.

Saskatchewan teen Christopher Sanford Beck thought the Imagine a Canada contest, sponsored by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) was a “neat project” to enter. But little did he know that his entry would gain so much attention and become an award winning story.

Sanford Beck, 15, was one of 10 contest winners for his detailed short story on what he would love to see for the future of Canada. The contest required that students, "envision what the future of Canada will look like through the lens of reconciliation," through art, poetry, film or an essay.

Set in 2036, Sanford Beck’s short story tells of a small farm family that is heavily involved with the indigenous community and other groups of different nationalities. He details how unified Canada had become with indigenous peoples as he illustrates how the family is visiting a reserve for a community celebratory event.

“I thought the contest by the NCTR was a neat one and I think it was important,” said the teen.

An avid reader and writer since he was six-years-old, Sanford Beck is way beyond his years in his thinking.

“It is important for indigenous people to be represented more than the way they are now and I thought it was important to express that with this story.”

He says he hopes to see more indigenous groups being represented on a national level and Canada will move into a more unified future, treating all peoples equal.

Though Sanford Beck seems to have a natural gift of writing, which may have been influenced by the fact that both of his parents are writers, he also thoroughly enjoys other activities. He is actively involved in parkour and free running, construction and social justice work.

“I love activism and would love to be a part of a lot of voluntary work in the future,” he said.

He is ecstatic about the award and thinks reconciliation is important for everyone in Canada.

“My friends at school are happy that I won the award and they love the short story. I’m glad they do because I think this is important,” he said.

The full story can be found on Sanford Beck's blog, Crownshire’s Blog

By Sasha-Gay Lobban