Elxcia N. Smith Honored with the 2024 TCJ Student Award in Creative Writing for Best Non-Fiction
4th April 2024
TSAILE, AZ – The Tribal College Journal (TCJ) is proud to announce Elxcia Nanabah Smith as the recipient of the 2024 TCJ Student Award in Creative Writing for Best Non-Fiction. This honor celebrates the talent and perspective that Elxcia brings to the literary world, highlighting her ability to weave together narratives that reflect her writing skills.
Elxcia, a 19-year-old freshman at Diné College majoring in Diné Studies, hails from Navajo Station, Ganado, AZ., She reiterates her clans in Navajo “Kinłichíi’nii áádóó Naakai Dine’é eí báshíshchíín nááná Tótsohnii eí dashicheii áádóó Tséńjíkiní eí dashinálí Elxcia Nanabah Smith eí yinishyé.”
Her award-winning piece, “Ádééhonílzin (To Know Yourself),” dives into personal experiences, exploring themes of family, resilience, and the power of storytelling within her community. Through recollections of her upbringing, marked by a close-knit family life rooted in Navajo traditions and values, Elxcia offers readers a glimpse into a world where learning and living off the land are intertwined with the joys and challenges of rural life.
The TCJ Student Award in Creative Writing for Best Non-Fiction celebrates indigenous voices in literature. Elxcia’s remarkable achievement highlights the diversity and potential of young native writers. Her narrative testifies to the strength of indigenous communities and the transformative power of storytelling, inspiring future generations to explore their identities through creative expression.
Upon receiving the award, Elxcia expressed profound gratitude and humility, acknowledging her family’s support and the significance of sharing her story with a broader audience. “I felt thrilled and overwhelmed with emotion,” she shared. “To have my voice heard and my experiences acknowledged in this way is truly an honor. It’s a reminder that our stories matter and can make a difference.”
