Archive - Mar 8, 2007
4th Annual Youth COO gathering on Culture, Tradition and Language in Wiky
March 8, 2007 - 6:46am | by AnonymousCOO press release ...
4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language
Thunder Bay, March 7, 2007: "Now is the time for our generation to learn and preserve our sacred gifts."
The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council is holding its 4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language on the Wikemikong Unceded Indian Reserve located on Manitoulin Island on March 15, 16, 17 & 18th, 2007.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE March 8th, 2007. Depending on availability of space, late registrations may be accepted until March 13th, 2007.
The symposium is an exciting learning opportunity for youth to gain knowledge of our diverse cultures, traditions and languages from a wide variety of Elders and traditional knowledge practitioners. Events are currently being planned that will include informative and diverse workshops, prominent keynote speakers, outstanding storytellers, talented artists, live entertainment, and other motivating and interesting activities.
Registration is free. The Ontario First Nations Youth Peoples Council will cover the costs for meals, accommodations, entertainment, and shuttle services for two delegates, one male and one female, from each of the First Nation communities and organizations.
Youth participants are responsible to seek sponsorship and/or cover the costs of their travel to and from Wikemikong Unceded Reserve. We have a limited capacity of 300 participants.
Register now and get be eligible for early bird registration prize draws.
Bearskin Airlines is pleased to offer discounts to all attendees of the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council, 4th Annual Youth Symposium hosted in Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve!
All travellers must quote convention code "OFNYPC07" to receive this discount for travel. These discounts will apply to flights from all points in the Bearskin Airlines system to Sudbury and are valid on any Bearskin Airlines fare type. Travel is valid between March 5 -March 25, 2007. These dates provide for early and/or late departures to enjoy all that Sudbury has to offer!
Click here to view a short video about Wiky
View the documents below for more details. For more information, please contact Laura Calmwind, Youth Coordinator 1-807-626-9339 or by email at laura@coo.org.
NAN staff search for funding for training & First Nations Film School for youth
March 8, 2007 - 6:46am | by AnonymousNAN press release ...
NAN Film Premiere First Step in Youth Empowering Initiative
THUNDER BAY, March 7, 2007: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald together with NAN Youth Council members Catherine Cheechoo and Serene Spence debuted the short film The Four Directions Project to kick off a youth empowering initiative based on story-telling through film during a news conference today.
“Young people have valid real stories that the world needs to hear,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald who developed the initiative to bridge the arts and youth portfolios at NAN – both of which she’s responsible. “Story-telling through film gives young people the opportunity to tell their stories and heal through that process – it’s empowering to them.”
The short film entitled The Four Directions Project explores cultural rebirth, healing, and hope against the backdrop of the four sacred directions and themes of song, dance, prayer, and dreams. Catherine Cheechoo, Serene Spence, Brent Wesley, and Jocelyn Formsma’s stories and poems are featured in the six minute film which was shot mainly in Thunder Bay and Moose Factory (one of NAN’s 49 First Nation communities).
“The draw to this project for me was the opportunity for a different kind of expression”, said Catherine Cheechoo who’s poem is featured in the short film. “The experiences relayed in my poem I’m sure are experienced by many other young women – it’s just another way young people can relate.”
The Four Directions Project is the first phase in a NAN initiative to empower youth through film. Phase 2 will involve researching options to secure funding for film training for young people. Archibald is hopeful Phase 3 will mean a First Nations Film School available to young people throughout the North.
The Four Directions Project’s official premiere will take place at the Weeneebeg Film Festival in Moose Factory Saturday March 10, 2007.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is an Aboriginal political organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario First Nations part of Treaty 5 – an area spanning two-thirds of Ontario with a total approximate population of 45,000 members on and off reserve.
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For more information please contact: Jenna Young, NAN Director of Communications at (807) 625 4952 (807) 628 3953 (cellular).