Webequie First Nation youth working with DAREarts Foundation for Children
Press Release ...
Webequie First Nation Youth Altering Adversity Through the Arts - DAREarts Foundation for Children to empower aboriginal teens
TORONTO, ONTARIO - (Marketwire - Sept. 24, 2007)
"Today the community (of Webequie First Nation) sees the effects...of past suicides among the youth...with increased drug usage...alcohol and substance abuse as coping mechanisms. Our youth need to learn how to turn to traditional and other positive support systems to take care of themselves during times of stress and community unrest." - Bill Jacob, Traditional teacher, Webequie First nation
Beginning Sept. 23, DAREarts Foundation takes up Bill Jacob's challenge by launching its latest pilot project: a week of creative activities within the community." The DAREarts team of arts professionals will work with Webequie's community's creative elders to provide four days of artistic workshops for the community's young people: There will be daily Opening and Closing Sharing Circles; workshops on writing and storytelling; dance; music (singing and drumming); drama; photography; and digital and computer graphics work.
These activities will culminate in a final presentation written, produced and performed by workshop participants for the whole community after which there will be a Community Feast celebrating the achievements of the week.
For more information, please contact
DAREarts Foundation
Alison Postma
Director of Communications
(905) 729-0097
Email: apostma@darearts.com
Website: www.darearts.com
or
Webequie School
Mary Gardiner
Principal
(807) 353-6491