KEEWAYWIN FIRST NATION, Ont. – The federal government today announced $187,896 will be made available to fund a digital documentary series from Keewaywin First Nation.
The northwestern Ontario community will partner with professional filmmakers to produce a digital multimedia series in Oji Cree and each episode of the documentary-style, youth-oriented program will feature a different aspect of life in the community. It will be broadcast online through IsumaTV, says the government’s press release.
The funding is being provided under the Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program.
"Our language is central to our identity. It's not simply a collection of different words for exact ideas as it is in English,” said Chris Kakegamic, chief of Keewaywin First Nation in the press release. “Rather, our language has distinctive ways of understanding, relating to life, and to the world, woven together with all aspects of our culture. Seeking and integrating innovative ways to get our youth involved in language revitalization and maintenance is vital. Blending tradition with technology is one such avenue.”
The Northern Aboriginal Broadcasting component of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program supports Indigenous broadcasting societies in producing and distributing radio and television programming in the North. The objectives are to:
- support the production of culturally relevant Indigenous programming
- facilitate establishment and maintenance of production facilities
- ensure availability of a significant amount of radio and television programming
- contribute to the preservation and promotion of Indigenous languages and cultures
- provide venues to articulate issues of relevance to Indigenous audiences and communities.
Applicants must be non-profit, democratically controlled, Indigenous organizations or working with Indigenous organizations that provide broadcast communications north of the 55th parallel ("Hamelin Line").
