Reimagine

The use of storytelling is well documented in the literature as being effective in sustaining the resiliency of First Nations communities, in particular, those living in remote communities.

Molyneaux et al. (2014) relayed:

“Three important components of resiliency in First Nations are having access to social capital, sharing stories, and networking. Sharing stories facilitates bonding between storytellers and listeners. Stories are important because they help community members, particularly the youth, to understand their negative experiences and look forward to a more positive future; research has found that Aboriginal youth use stories to build a sense of cultural continuity. (p. 277)

In the project called “Reimagining Attawapiskat”, contributors Alves et. al (2015) aimed to create counter stories to try to counteract the mainstream media’s portrayal of Attawapiskat as a “crisis zone”, reporting on its “deplorable conditions” and framing it as a “troubled community” that needs outside financial intervention. The mixed media storytelling method employed by Reimagining Attawapiskat contributors and researchers seeks social and ecological change. It does this by bringing “a sense of community amongst involved parties while honoring the diverse voices and bodies of knowledge that affected citizens and communities bring to bear in order to improve injustices.”

This is Jack Linklater Jr. from Attawapiskat First Nation. The video is a departure from the portrayal of AFN and its members by mainstream media; co-constructed by researchers, artists and community members to create one of many counter stories and offer other perspectives and lenses.

Here is Reimagining Attawapiskat.

References:

Alves, M., Wiebe, S. M., Gilpin, E., Peruzzo, K., Hallberg-Campbell, J., Butet-Roch, L., & White, C. (2015). Reimagining Attawapiskat. Retrieved from https://www.reimaginingattawapiskat.com/

Molyneaux, H., O’Donnell, S., Kakekaspan, C., Walmark, B., Budka, P. & Gibson, H. (2014). Social Media in Remote First Nation Communities. Canadian Journal of Communication, Vol 39 No. 2. 275-288. Retrieved from http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/2619