Jan 12, 2016
The Power of Laughter (Maskwesiwin Papiwin)
Filmmakers: Jolène Chachai, Stella Chachai
This film talks about the pride of being a woman.
This is the fifth film in a six part series of short films on the theme of reconciliation. These films are produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Click here to read more about this film series.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Jan 4, 2016
At buy dianobol the UN – Wapikoni Mobile Speaks Out
Filmmaker: Wapikoni Mobile Team
On May 30th 2013, the young Anishnabe filmmaker, Emilio Wawatie, represented Wapikoni mobile at the UN. A truly memorable moment!
This is the fourth film in a six part series of short films on the theme of reconciliation. These films are produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Click here to read more about this film series.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 28, 2015
The Path
Filmmaker: Debby Flamand
Debby worries about her daughter Julie. Together, they decide to take the 120 km walk between Wemotaci and Manawan with the Dr. Stanley Vollant team.
This is the third film in a six part series of short films on the theme of reconciliation. These films are produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Click here to read more about this film series.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 21, 2015
Correcting the Chalkboard
Filmmaker: Wapikoni Mobile Team
This video contains language that some viewers may find offensive
On a blank chalkboard, youth from Manawan rewrite the stories of their lives.
This is the second in a six part series of short films on the theme of reconciliation. These films are produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Click here to read more about this film series.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 15, 2015
The final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) is a testament to the courage of survivors who have revealed the darkest chapter of Canadian history: the Indian Residential School legacy. May this milestone be a catalyst for continued healing and a search for reconciliation.
While this saga began with survivors, it is clear that confronting the Indian Residential School legacy is a responsibility for all Canadians. The truth revealed belongs to all of us and a new way forward must be determined collaboratively. Crucially, mutual respect must be a cornerstone for transforming relations among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.
The TRC final report is a call to action to begin the hard work of reconciliation. The report provides a guide to a multiplicity of ways in which reconciliation can and will be achieved. We must all avoid seeing the report as one of simple condemnation. Rather, it is a wakeup call that ignites our highest consciousness where we can live out our best selves.
We will awaken to our common humanity as we begin down the path of reconciliation. Love, justice, equality, care and compassion will begin to manifest.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to our TRC. Their work is done, let us begin ours.
Gila’kasla.
Dec 14, 2015
The Joy of Living
Filmmaker: Jérémy Vassiliou
Jérémy delivers a message of hope by talking about the things that give him the will to live.
This is the first in a six part series of short films on the theme of reconciliation. These films are produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Click here to read more about this film series.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 13, 2015
By Alice Neeson
For over ten years, Wapikoni Mobile has been working with Aboriginal youth in Canada to encourage expression through music and film. Their mobile studios, sometimes referred to as “youth centres on wheels”, have travelled to some of the most remote First Nations communities in the country, providing workshops and mentoring to young participants.
Earlier this year, when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report, it put forward 94 Calls to Action. One of these dealt with Media and Reconciliation. It highlighted the importance of media coverage on issues of concern to Aboriginal people, adequate representation of Aboriginal people in the media, and the accommodation of diverse cultures, languages and perspectives. These are just some of the issues which Wapikoni has been working to address since 2004.
Not only does media training help to break the sense of isolation often experienced by young people in remote communities, but it also provides the tools they need to express themselves. In this way, film and music can act as powerful tools for social transformation in communities with high rates of suicide, violence and substance abuse. Working with Wapikoni helps young people to build their self-esteem and sense of self-belief, as well as pride in their communities, culture and identity.
The films produced with Wapikoni have their first screening within the community they were made, and often address topics specific to members of that community. Many films go on to be screened more widely, often for non-Aboriginal and international audiences. This can help to challenge prejudices, misconceptions and racism, and can help to build bridges and encourage positive cultural exchange between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It also helps to broadcast the issues that matter to communities that seldom reach the mainstream media.
Having gained a highly technical skillset and real world experience of filming and editing, young filmmakers with Wapikoni are in an excellent position to pursue professional careers in the media industry. Increased employment opportunities can encourage financial empowerment and autonomy.
To date, Wapikoni have trained more than 3,500 young men and women in 29 communities, producing more than 850 films which help to document the diversity of First Nations cultural heritage. They have also worked with young filmmakers internationally, in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Panama and Finland.
Reconciliation Canada are delighted to be hosting a series of six short films on the theme of reconciliation, produced by young Indigenous filmmakers with the help of Wapikoni Mobile. We will share a new video each week, so check back often for the latest videos!
The first video of this film series: The Joy of Living – Filmmaker: Jérémy Vassiliou
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 10, 2015
Reconciliation Canada sees the hope that has been generated by the announcement of an official national inquiry into the tragic numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
This is a significant act towards reconciliation. It demonstrates that there are people who lived this nightmare, and someone is listening to their story — to their lived truth. Gilakasla for listening and responding.
This issue is not foreign to our team. Janet Henry went missing in the late 1990s.
Janet was the aunt to Karen Joseph, Reconciliation Canada CEO, and her sister Shelley, Cultural & Wellness Advisor. In the beginning, Shelley and other family members walked the streets looking for Janet, and for information of her whereabouts.
For many years now Shelley has taken part in the annual march on February 14 that honours and recognizes the many women and girls who are missing and/or have been murdered. She also sits on The Coalition of Families and Organizations advocating for justice for the families.
It is in the teachings of Indigenous people around the world that our women are integral to the social structure of a healthy community; a thriving community; a strong community.
Reconciliation Canada lifts our hands up to the federal government for taking action, and more so to the thousands of people who demonstrate the power of resilience by not giving up.
Read more about the announcement of the public inquiry here (via CBC News).
Dec 9, 2015
By Patrick Brennan, Executive Director, Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University
During the last week of October 2015, 27 participants attended the Executive Program in Reconciliation, Conflict Prevention and the Promotion of More Inclusive Societies at the Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. An impressive group of instructors lead modules on the history of, approaches to and lessons learned in the area of reconciliation. An equally impressive group of participants rose to the challenge of examining their individual and professional commitments to reconciliation.
The idea of hosting an Executive Program in Reconciliation, Conflict Prevention and the Promotion of More Inclusive Societies has been percolating for some time at the Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University. The Institute has published research to policy papers on this theme and held a conference in 2014 on Truth and Reconciliation Commissions. Therefore, following these events and the completion of work by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, it was timely for the Institute to look further at the issue of reconciliation from both an international and domestic perspective.
It became obvious during the week that there is no set road map for the journey of reconciliation. Each country, its history and the affected groups are different. It is apparent, however, that effective reconciliation must include commitment and efforts by all citizens. It is not the burden of the affected community to bear alone. In the case of Canada, Indigenous and non-indigenous people alike must join in the journey of reconciliation.
Reconciliation Canada held a very powerful dialogue workshop on the final morning of the program. All participants present were moved. It was an appropriate end to a week which examined and challenged our views on complex issues. Participants agreed to be part of a virtual community of practice. We have returned home now to engage on our paths of reconciliaction.
More information on the Executive Program in Reconciliation, Conflict Prevention and the Promotion of More Inclusive Societies can be found here.
More information on research published by the Institute for Study of International Development at McGill University can be found here.
Patrick Brennan
In August 2014, Patrick Brennan joined McGill’s Institute for the Study of International Development. Mr. Brennan came to McGill from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. He previously worked at the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations World Food Programme and the Canadian International Development Agency. Mr. Brennan holds a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia University in Montreal.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the author and may not reflect the views and opinions of Reconciliation Canada.
Dec 4, 2015
As we near the end of 2015, we reflect back on a year in which Canadians have been called upon to examine their role in reconciliation, and tasked with taking action in their communities. Canada has reached a pivotal role in its history and the future is ours to shape and change.
At Reconciliation Canada, we are working to achieve this change through values-based dialogue, leadership and action. We have seen a year of incredible successes, from co-hosting events to coincide with the TRC closing, to releasing federal party positions on reconciliation during the federal election. It is the dedication and commitment of our supporters and partners that make this possible. And this year, thanks to this incredible support, we became a registered charity.
In order to help us to continue our work, we ask you to give the Gift of Reconciliation this holiday season. By contributing to the campaign, you will help make possible a Multicultural Survivors’ Gathering – Envisioning a New Canada. This event will bring together multicultural survivors of historical injustices. Participating Elders will inform the programmes and initiatives of Reconciliation Canada as we approach Canada’s 150th anniversary.
You can share the gift with your friends, family and loved ones by sending the Gift of Reconciliation card with a personal message. The card features the beautiful Winter Moon design, by renowned Kwagiulth artist Carey Newman. We will be providing an artist honorarium to Carey, who will be directing funds to the Witness Blanket Project.
Help us reach our fundraising goal of $50,000 this holiday season. You can donate to the campaign and send your Gift of Reconciliation card here.
Thank you so much for your continued support.
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