The Strawberry Indigenous Youth Art Contest is an initiative created by the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council and Nikutik, in partnership with Made with Local, to celebrate the creativity of Indigenous youth.

Students across the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council community schools are invited to submit original artwork for consideration as the front-of-pack design on Made with Local's seasonal Strawberry Sunshine snack bar. 

Mi’kmaq representation will be reflected throughout the initiative in a respectful and uplifting way. Mi’kmaq artists will be engaged where possible, including support for artwork adaptation and project elements.
DOWNLOAD THE WORKSHEET HERE!

About the North Shore Mi'kmaq tribal council

The North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council is a not-for-profit dedicated to advancing innovation and promoting Indigenous involvement in major projects within Mi’kma’ki.

The NSMTC primarily serves its seven Member Nations – Amlamgog (Fort Folly), Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau), Tjipõgtõtjg (Buctouche), L’nui Menikuk (Indian Island), Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar), and Metepenagiag (Red Bank) – while extending support to 25 additional First Nations across Atlantic Canada.

The council provides service delivery, technical support, and capacity-building in water and waste management, housing and infrastructure, post-secondary education funding, training and employment, community development, clean energy opportunities, environmental stewardship, and health service coordination.

The NSMTC’s mission is to foster the health, sustainability, and economic prosperity of its Member Nations.

About Niktutik

Nikutik Sovereign Wealth is an Indigenous-owned economic development fund focused on investing in projects and companies that align with four goals: strong financial returns; positive social benefit; sound environmental stewardship; and alignment with Mi’kmaq culture.

Working in partnership with industry, Nikutik invests in real assets and companies, with a focus on clean energy, housing, food, water, and other critical infrastructure.Nikutik is equally owned by the North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) and its seven Member Nations – Amlamgog (Fort Folly), Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), Oinpegitjoig (Pabineau), Tjipõgtõtjg (Buctouche), L’nui Menikuk (Indian Island), Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar), and Metepenagiag (Red Bank).

The fund combines access to capital, business development skills, and technical expertise to help projects and partners navigate the regulatory process, properly engage Indigenous rights-holders, and achieve success.

“Nikutik,” meaning “we all grow together” in Mi’kmaq, reflects a commitment to Indigenous-led sustainable development, collaborative partnerships, and recognition of our mutual interconnection.

INFORMATION & RULES

1. Who Can Enter

  • Open to Mi’kmaq students from NSMTC member community schools
  • Open to grades: K5 to Grade 8 
  • Contest will be held in participating schools and classrooms 

2. How to Enter

  • Students create their own original drawing in the white space on the Strawberry Sunshine wrapper template provided by their teacher, or available below via PDF download.
  • Completed drawings should be returned to the students' teacher, who will collect and submit the entries by April 24, 2026

3. Submission Deadline

All drawings must be returned to the teacher by April 24th, 2026 so they can be submitted for judging.

4. Artwork Requirements

  • Drawings must stay within the white area of the Strawberry Sunshine Bar template, found on the contest worksheet.
  • The drawing must be completely original and created by the child.
  • Please do not include copyrighted characters, logos, or images from TV shows, movies, books, games, brands, or the internet.
  • Artwork should be created by the child and not digitally generated or created by an adult.

5. Judging

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges organized by the North Shore Mi'kmaq Tribal Council.

Judging will be based on:

  • Meaning and message
  • Connection to theme
  • Effort
  • Creativity and originality
  • Overall scores

6. RECOGNITION AND Prize

The selected student will:

  • Have their artwork featured on a limited-edition Strawberry Sunshine bar wrapper 
  • Receive a t-shirt with their design
  • Receive a curated art supplies kit
  • Receive a guided art session with Indigenous artist Natasha Sacobie

7. Use of Artwork

By submitting artwork and providing parent/guardian permission:

  • Made with Local may use, reproduce, and publish the artwork on packaging, websites, marketing materials, and social media for period of 1 year.
  • The artwork may be retouched to fit packaging layout.
  • No additional compensation will be provided beyond the contest prize.

8. Winner Notification

  • The winner’s parent or guardian will be contacted by email through the information provided with the submission.
  • If the winner cannot be reached within 7 days, another entry may be selected.

9. Agreement to Rules

Submitting artwork means the child, parent/guardian, and participating teacher agree to these official contest rules.