Canadian Government Youth Policy

Contribute your ideas to the Canadian government’s Youth Policy
Youth (ages 15 - 34) are invited to contribute ideas to the Canadian Government’s development of an official Youth Policy. A youth policy is a commitment to create a vision for youth – by youth, which can guide the priorities and actions of governments and society, and ensure that youth voices are heard and respected. The goal is to create a Youth Policy that will be a tool to help achieve goals that are important to youth and that will have a meaningful, long-lasting impact for all young Canadians. Contribute your ideas today.

Coastal First Nations Dance Festival Youth Workshops

 February 27 & 28: Coastal First Nations Dance Festival Youth Workshops
The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival is hosted by the Dancers of Damelahamid and the Museum of Anthropology. As part of the festival there will be a series of youth workshops (ages 14 - 24) in partnership with the First Nations House of Learning. These workshops are a unique opportunity for youth to receive free mentorship under leading Indigenous dance artists.

• Hula with Peter Rockford Espiritu- This workshop will cover the 8 basic steps of traditional hula kahiko (ancient Hawaiian dance) followed by a sharing of a sacred dance honouring the Hawaiian god Kãne.
  
  Tues, Feb 27, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
  Sty-Wet-Tan Great Hall
  
• Hoop Dancing with Jessica McMann - This hoop dance workshop is grounded in Medicine Wheel teachings, will teach basic hoop moves, and will encourage individual exploration.
  
  Wed, Feb 28, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
  Museum of Anthropology Great Hall - map

Free to attend, see the workshop schedule for more information. To register, contact Rebecca Baker at info@damelahmid.ca.  

Indigenous Arts and Stories Competition

 Deadline Saturday, March 31: Indigenous Arts & Stories CompetitionIndigenous Arts & Stories invites self-identified Status, Non-Status, Inuit, and Métis youth ages 6 to 29 to submit writing and art entries exploring Indigenous heritage, culture, and identity. Participants can win up to $2000 in cash, an all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa to be honoured at the Governor General’s History Awards, an all-expenses-paid writer’s residency at The Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, and other great prizes. Submission guidelines can be found on the contest website.

Dance Classes for Indigenous Youth

Powwow & shuffle dance classes for Indigenous youth 

The Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA) is offering a new dance program for Indigenous youth aged 12-30. Youth of all ages, genders and experience levels are encouraged to attend—no previous dance experience is necessary. 

Wed, 6 - 8 pm

The Urban Native Youth Association – map

The lessons will be taking place each Wednesday (except Feb 14). Details about this and other programming can be found through the UNYA Facebook page.  

Indigenous Youth Mentorship in Film

We are seeking Indigenous youth (ages 18–30) to participate in a unique filmmaking mentorship program in concert with the upcoming feature film The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open, co-written and co-directed by Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburn.

Eligible youth are invited to apply for paid mentorships with one of the key creatives of the film (director, producer, cinematographer, production designers, etc.). Selected participants will gain invaluable on-the-job training, contacts, and direct mentorship from leading film professionals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to improve their skills and ultimately pursue a career in filmmaking. No formal filmmaking experience is necessary, but some training is a plus.  Special consideration will be given to youth in care, or formerly in care

The program will run from mid-February 2018 until June 2018, with each different mentorship position having its own timeline. All production will take place in Vancouver — unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Tsleil-Waututh territory.

To apply for the mentorship program, please click here to complete the online form.

The deadline to apply is Friday February 9, 2018.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Self-Identifying Indigenous Youth (age 18-30)
• Interested in a career in filmmaking, and a strong drive to improve your skill-set in a particular field
• No experience necessary, but foundational knowledge/some education in film is a plus
• Special consideration will be given to youth in care, or formerly in care
•  Applicants must live in Vancouver or within commuting distance to be eligible.  Travel subsidy and cost of living are NOT covered by this mentorship

WHO WE ARE:

Directors: Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Kathleen Hepburn
Producers: Lori Lozinski and Tyler Hagan
Mentorship Program Coordinator: Alysha Seriani

ABOUT THE FILM:

Inspired by a very real and transformative moment in the co-director Elle-Máijá Tailfeather's life, The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open weaves an intricately complex, while at the same time very simple, story of a chance encounter between two Indigenous women with drastically different lived experience, navigating the aftermath of domestic abuse.  

Our intention with this film is to incite discourse around violence against women, racism, and social inequality. It will question our complacency in the face of such violence and the complications of how we react in its presence. Ultimately, the story draws from and brings attention to the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and girls.

Thank you.

The deadline to apply is Friday February 9, 2018.

For any questions or to receive a hard copy application form, 
please contact alyshaseriani@gmail.com

This program is made possible with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE, providing training and production grants for screen-based creators in western Canada.