Author Archives: DanielGrafton

2.5: Imagine Native

Website: Imagine Native 
Imagine Native is a global film and media festival in Toronto. This year’s festival is set to run from next Wednesday through Sunday (October 14-18). Imagine Native features indigenous works from many different countries. In addition to screening films, exhibiting works of art, and hosting panel discussions, the festival emphasizes connecting indigenous artists to industry professionals. The website includes film descriptions and schedules, artist profiles, as well as resources for artists, such as how to apply for film grants. The site also includes links to other indigenous film festivals in Canada and across the globe.

2.4: Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking Program

Website: Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking Program

My research area of interest has led to me to explore a number of educational programs focused on the production of indigenous media. The Indigenous Independent Digital Flimmaking program from Capilano University offers a two-year diploma program and a one-year certificate program. The program emphasizes technical skills consistent with other Media Broadcasting college programs. The program also emphasizes the “role of Aboriginal production in promoting Aboriginal cultures, languages, and world-view” .

This video, although a bit dated, outlines the program: Indigenous Independent Digital Filmmaking on YouTube

2.3: Muskrat Magazine

Website: Muskrat Magazine

Muskrat Magazine is a slickly produced Canadian online-only magazine focusing on indigenous arts and culture. Thus far, Muskrat has published seven thematic issues. Themes of past issues include “Food”, “Reconciliation”, and “Resistance”. The theme of the current issue is “Indigenous Arts Education”. This issue includes includes features on Indigenous Filmmakers at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Indigenous Group of Seven.

2.2: ACI Manitoba’s Indigenous Programs

Website: ACI Manitoba’s Indigenous Programs

ACI Manitoba is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting arts and culture in Manitoba. ACI places a special emphasis on indigenous programming, and offers a variety of workshops, courses, and seminars related to indigenous art and storytelling. The website also includes valuable resources for young indigenous artists. One resource that I found particularly useful was a Grant Writing Toolkit . The site also includes links to a plethora of Manitoban and Canadian organizations that can provide support to indigenous artists. 

2.1. ICMI: Indigenous Culture Media Innovations

Website: ICMI

Indigenous Culture Media Innovations provides training to young indigenous peoples interested in pursuing careers in media broadcasting. ICMI is based in Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Quebec, and there is also an office in Ottawa.  ICMI offers a number of programs, the most involved of which appears to be the Indigenous Interactive Multimedia Program, which is an Arts program that includes training in graphic design, video production, digital video editing, web design, motion graphics, as well as programs focusing on indigenous culture and arts. Program instructors include indigenous screenwriters, filmmakers, camera operators, and multimedia artists. A minimum of a Grade 10 education is required to attend the program.

1.5: First Voices Indigenous Radio

First Voices Indigenous Radio Website

First Voices Indigenous Radio is a weekly radio program based out of New York City that is  broadcast on community and university radio stations in the United States and Canada. The host and creator, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, spent part of his youth in a residential boarding school and  began his career as a computer programmer. This career led him to question why, as an Indigenous person, he was producing media for others when Indigenous people were severely underrepresented in media broadcasting. Today, content in FVIR broadcasts focuses on the struggles of indigenous peoples everywhere.

1.4: National Indigenous Media Association of Canada

National Indigenous Media Association of Canada

This organization represents Indigenous broadcasters in Canada. Their mandate includes helping Indigenous broadcasters reach areas with weak ICT infrastructure and advocating for Indigenous broadcasters in front of legislators and regulators. One of the more interesting resources available on this site is a timeline of this history of Indigenous broadcasting in Canada. The site also outlines in great detail Canadian policies for Indigenous broadcasting. These policies are quite detailed, covering topics such as what constitutes  “native programming” and “native music”?

1.3: United Nations vs. Canada (United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues)

This site is useful for learning about official UN positions on a plethora of indigenous issues. Among the available documents is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was supported by the vast majority of UN members in 2007. This declaration was opposed by  four developed nations with significant indigenous populations: Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. If Canadians vote in a new government October 19th, should Canada and will Canada reconsider its opposition?

1.2: Indigenous Rights Radio/Cultural Survival

Indigenous Rights Radio

Cultural Survival

Indigenous Rights Radio is a media outreach initiative created by the organization Cultural Survival. Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples rights and self-determination. The premise of Indigenous Rights Radio is to use community radio to inform indigenous communities around the globe of their rights. While the majority of the programming is in English and Spanish, the site has produced programming in 24 languages and has been broadcast over 1079 community radio stations. Most of the radio programming seems to be in the form of very short public service announcements created to inform and educate indigenous peoples on an array of topics including land rights, language rights, education rights, and rights to self-determination. The Resources section of the web page includes useful toolkits to assist local educators teach indigenous peoples about their specific rights. Examples of toolkits include “Protecting Your Community Against Mining Companies and Other Extractive Industries: A Guide for Community Organizers” and “Frequently Asked Questions About the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.

1.1: TEBTEBBA (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education)

Website: TEBTEBBA

Tebtebba  is an indigenous word from northern Phillipines that can be roughly translated to mean addressing issues of concern through the discussion of diverse viewpoints, with the aim of reaching common positions and focused actions. This organization is also known as The Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education, and the organizations holds consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC)  

Indigenous communities across the globe are often isolated minorities who are subjected to government and corporate abuses, which can lead to a sense of powerlessness. Tebtebba’s mandate is to bring representatives of diverse indigenous peoples’ organizations and communities together to advocate for indigenous groups facing injustices worldwide. On the main page, there is a plethora of resources available for community leaders. For example, there is a curriculum entitled “Indigenous Peoples Sustainable, Self-Determine Development: A Training Course for Community Trainers” which includes modules on human rights, the global struggles of indigenous peoples, and building sustainable indigenous economies. The site also includes an online database of Tebtebba research and articles and links to other indigenous peoples’ organizations and networks, which are very useful for learning more about the struggles of specific indigenous groups worldwide.