Tag Archives: Digital media

Indigenous Digital Media

 

1. Indian and Cowboy Podcast Network: http://www.indianandcowboy.com/

This is one of my favourite podcasting hosts: the podcasts are of high quality production, good storytelling laced with humour and deep reflection, and often talking about very relevant issues to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Canadian peoples.

A few of the current ones I follow include: Métis in Space, Red Man Laughing, and Stories from the Land.

2. Eastern Door Kahnawake Newspaper: http://www.easterndoor.com/

Living in Montreal, on Mohawk Territory, close to the community of Kahnawake, I have been reading the Eastern Door as another source of perspectives on current events in the surrounding area and abroad. Reading a community’s newspapers is a great way to get a sense of what is being talked about, what is seen as significant by community members in public positions (e.g. journalists).

3. God’s Lake Narrows: http://godslake.nfb.ca/#/godslake

This NFB Interactive documentary is a personal favourite, especially because of the way the writer, Kevin Lee Burton draws the viewer into the story while at the same time challenging and implicating the non-Indigenous viewer’s sense of place, space, and ideas of value.  This story connects to some of the major themes we encountered in the first three weeks; mainly, the ways that knowledge emerges from stories connected to space and place. I appreciate how Burton uses his intimate knowledge of his community to play with the ideas of the gaze, commodity, and worth.

4. CBC Radio Personalities 

Rosanna Deerchild hosts the CBC show, “Unreserved,” which I find to be a good source for some of the contemporary cultural trends emerging from young artists belonging to various Indigenous Nations. Deerchild has a great interview style, which I think elicits great conversation with her guests, resulting in good insights on pressing issues and concerns.   http://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved

Candy Palmater hosts, “The Candy show,” which is another source for great music and conversation. Her unique on-air personality really provides great perspectives when in conversation with guests. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/candy

5. First Story Toronto https://firststoryblog.wordpress.com/aboutfirststory/

Formerly known as “The Toronto Native Community History Project,” this initiative has expanded its bus tours to now include a mobile app, “First Story”.  People interested in learning about the Indigenous histories in and around Toronto may take app guided walks where points of interests will appear  on their mobile device and users may choose to listen to the story that corresponds to that place.

 

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

Module 1 Post 5: Digital Stories – Residential Schools

Information regarding storytelling and the legacy of residential schooling were two topics that had a profound effect on me when reading the articles in Module 1. Storytelling is an important aspect of Aboriginal peoples’ culture as these oral traditions allow them to share their knowledge, histories, and lessons.

Sadly, residential schools have had a profound and detrimental effect on First Nations’ peoples, families, communities, and culture. I wanted to see if I could find a website in which Aboriginal people used digital media as a vessel to tell their stories and share their experiences in regards to residential schools and came across this project:

Digital Stories – First Nations Women Explore the Legacy of Residential Schools

The aim of the project is to promote awareness and bring about a better understanding of the lasting effects of residential schools from generation to generation. The website contains numerous digital stories, lasting between 2-5 minutes each, in which Aboriginal women narrate their experiences and offer insight to the disruptive impacts of residential schools. The purpose of these digital stories is not only to facilitate the healing process, but also to inform the public about how Aboriginal peoples were affected.

Residential schools are not only a part of First Nations’ history, but also a part of every Canadian’s history; therefore, it is imperative that these stories be heard.

Here’s another great site for more information on residential schools and residential school survivor stories.