Doyon Foundation congratulates student Charles Ralston, who was one of seven winners in the recent Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery & Opportunity writing competition. Ralston received a $10,000 prize for his essay, titled “Alaska Native Corporations Can Provide International Benefits Through Marketing Carbon Offset.”

The writing competition was designed to tap the wisdom and ingenuity of Native communities, and encourage Native thinkers to go public with their perspectives on the current economic and political landscape. The winners were announced at the Alaska Federation of Natives 2009 annual convention, and the seven winning essays, including Ralston’s, are posted at www.nativeinsight.org.

Ralston, who is originally from Juneau, Alaska, currently resides in Arcata, California, where he is studying English/writing practices at Humboldt State University. After graduating in spring 2010, Ralston plans to attend graduate school and is interested in studying rhetoric and composition.

In the future, Ralston hopes to obtain a master’s of teaching writing degree. After receiving the degree, he would like to teach composition at the community college-level and get involved in a college writing center. Eventually, he said he would love to be a writing center director.

Ralston said the Doyon Foundation has rewarded his hard work and focused study with generous scholarships.

“In addition, Doyon Foundation referred me to the Native Insight essay competition, which I won for $10,000. This financial security has allowed me to concentrate on my education. For this, I cannot thank the Doyon Foundation enough,” said Ralston, who is the son of Bill and Laura Ralston of Juneau, Alaska, and the grandson of Justin and Marianne Patsy from Nulato, Alaska.