Spirit of the Story: digital multimedia program for Indigenous youth in Manitoba

The next generation of Indigenous storytellers are getting a chance to learn other ways of storytelling through the Spirit of the Story program.

It teaches youth and young adults about film and media production.

“It’s through storytelling that many of our ancestors kept our traditions alive, so I feel that this new age of using technology, we’re keeping it alive and we’re doing it in this more modern way,” said Erica Daniels, the program’s co-director and instructor.

“I think that just being able to share our stories is a way of healing as well.”

Viola Cameron was a participant in the first Spirit of the Story program four years ago.

“At first I was very intimidated because, seeing all these cameras, this big lighting and being put on the spot, it can be overwhelming at first,” Cameron recounted.

Cameron says they try to live life around the seven teachings — guiding principles in Indigenous culture — and the program helped them embrace humility.

“It really helped me coming to work with others, taking others’ ideas and basically making something that is even more beautiful or a point of view or angle that I never would have thought of before,” the former participant said.

Cameron says they learned to be more flexible through the program. They got to experience different roles, such as directing, acting and writing. Their goal is to learn all the different roles on a film set so they can one day be a well-rounded director.

“It was really fun because I got to see the different elements of what it was like, not only to write a script. To get actors for it and to basically direct it.”

The now 19-year-old, who was in care during the program, says they want to show others like them anything is possible.

“As we grow up in care we feel like we’re not allowed to do this,” Cameron explained. “We feel that sometimes, maybe we’re just gonna grow up to be like our parents. Maybe this wasn’t meant for us.

“But I feel like having that guide, that support, will definitely bring people like myself that closure that ‘oh I can do this. I just gotta believe in myself a little harder.’”

The Southern Chiefs’ Organization serves as the program’s partner, and will be providing mental health supports to its staff and participants throughout. The Indigenous Screen Office is also providing funding.

Co-creator Daniels, who is an award-winning Cree and Ojibway filmmaker, says the program offers youth and young adults a safe space.

“I’ve seen how this program has benefited many youth who have come through our doors where they’re really shy when they first walk in, and just throughout the time being in the program, they really blossom,” Daniels said. “They finally feel like they have an opportunity to share their story and to share their voice.”

Indigenous youth and young adults from ages 16 to 25 are invited to apply, including youth who are or were in care. Applications for the program can be found on their social media – a total of 20 participants will be chosen.

The program starts at the end of May and runs through to March of next year.

That has Cameron looking forward to mentoring new participants as early as next month.

“One day I want to give back to the people that were in my shoes of growing up in the system,” they said. “I want to be able to give them the light that, oh we can do this. Work a little harder, (and) not doing what we are told that we are supposed to do.”