3rd World Canada Youth Engagement Tour
In 2006, eight children in the First Nation (FN) community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ontario were orphaned after their parents’ suicides. Using testimonials from family and community members, 3rd World Canada, a documentary by Productions Cazabon, explores the impact of 3rd world conditions on these children and a community’s courage in caring for them.
During filming, Canada’s quality of life ranked 4th in the world, whereas quality of life for Canadian FN communities ranked 63rd. Many are unaware of this disparity and of these abject living conditions. Spotlighting this issue, 3rd World Canada premiered to packed theatres and positive reviews. To maximize its impact, mechanisms for continued dialogue and education, like the proposed film tour and education initiative, must be provided to educate, empower, build engagement, and, ultimately, inform policy to improve living conditions for FN communities.
3rd World Canada Ontario Youth Tour
The goal of the 3rd World Canada Ontario youth tour, through which KI youth and community members will educate Canadians about FN challenges, is to use the film to inspire policy development and community engagement that will improve living conditions for FN people.
Running from spring 2012 to winter 2014 and travelling by train, each stop will include a film screening, panel discussion with KI community members and leaders, and the KI Youth Drum Group. School/campus visits will occur the day before evening screenings for the general public. Participating communities will connect with KI delegates via activities aimed at mending the gap in living conditions. KI youth delegates will document their journey via daily video blogs.
The tour will have numerous benefits, including meaningful engagement between FN people and Canadians and enhanced leadership skills and community pride among KI youth. The tour and video blogs will inspire other FN communities, motivating FN youth to get involved in the arts, leadership opportunities, and other activities that can help protect them from drugs, alcohol, and despair.
Awareness and Education
The film can be used an educational tool in academic settings and for professional development in fields like justice, health, social services, and government. The first viewer guide was released and, as partnerships increase, updated educational tools will be developed and disseminated. The ultimate goal is for the film as an awareness-building toolkit to be in every Canadian educational setting from grade 9 upwards.
The film also provides an opportunity to educate and empower FN communities about how to support positive change. In spite of many challenges, there are inspirational examples of FN organizations and communities fostering positive change, including Tikinagan Child and Family Services, who were featured in the film. To empower other communities, the KI community, with Productions Cazabon’s assistance, will develop a curriculum about how to foster positive community change, with active youth engagement to ensure its relevance to the next generation of FN leaders.
The film is already making a difference. For example, it inspired Adopt-a-Box, which brings food and other necessities to struggling communities. A film tour and education initiative will expand its impact.
About You
About You
First Name
Andrée
Last Name
Cazabon
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
Productions Cazabon
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Productions Cazabon in partnership with the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninnuwug (K.I.)
Website
Country
Canada, ON
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
What best describes your group or organization
Community group or youth group, Business (for-profit).
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
3rd World Canada Youth Engagement Tour
Tell us the story of your idea or project
In 2006, eight children in the First Nation (FN) community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ontario were orphaned after their parents’ suicides. Using testimonials from family and community members, 3rd World Canada, a documentary by Productions Cazabon, explores the impact of 3rd world conditions on these children and a community’s courage in caring for them.
During filming, Canada’s quality of life ranked 4th in the world, whereas quality of life for Canadian FN communities ranked 63rd. Many are unaware of this disparity and of these abject living conditions. Spotlighting this issue, 3rd World Canada premiered to packed theatres and positive reviews. To maximize its impact, mechanisms for continued dialogue and education, like the proposed film tour and education initiative, must be provided to educate, empower, build engagement, and, ultimately, inform policy to improve living conditions for FN communities.
3rd World Canada Ontario Youth Tour
The goal of the 3rd World Canada Ontario youth tour, through which KI youth and community members will educate Canadians about FN challenges, is to use the film to inspire policy development and community engagement that will improve living conditions for FN people.
Running from spring 2012 to winter 2014 and travelling by train, each stop will include a film screening, panel discussion with KI community members and leaders, and the KI Youth Drum Group. School/campus visits will occur the day before evening screenings for the general public. Participating communities will connect with KI delegates via activities aimed at mending the gap in living conditions. KI youth delegates will document their journey via daily video blogs.
The tour will have numerous benefits, including meaningful engagement between FN people and Canadians and enhanced leadership skills and community pride among KI youth. The tour and video blogs will inspire other FN communities, motivating FN youth to get involved in the arts, leadership opportunities, and other activities that can help protect them from drugs, alcohol, and despair.
Awareness and Education
The film can be used an educational tool in academic settings and for professional development in fields like justice, health, social services, and government. The first viewer guide was released and, as partnerships increase, updated educational tools will be developed and disseminated. The ultimate goal is for the film as an awareness-building toolkit to be in every Canadian educational setting from grade 9 upwards.
The film also provides an opportunity to educate and empower FN communities about how to support positive change. In spite of many challenges, there are inspirational examples of FN organizations and communities fostering positive change, including Tikinagan Child and Family Services, who were featured in the film. To empower other communities, the KI community, with Productions Cazabon’s assistance, will develop a curriculum about how to foster positive community change, with active youth engagement to ensure its relevance to the next generation of FN leaders.
The film is already making a difference. For example, it inspired Adopt-a-Box, which brings food and other necessities to struggling communities. A film tour and education initiative will expand its impact.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Through youth music, film & a discussion panel of KI leaders, the tour will connect FN and non-FN communities and inspire reconciliation projects across Canada.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a project that is just getting started)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
KI youth participating in the tour will learn valuable leadership and technical skills. This early engagement could lead to careers in advocacy, child welfare, public service, and film making.
Hosting communities on the film tour will be tasked with starting a reconciliation project between First Nation and non-First Nation people. Other communities can develop projects and document their progress online.
The curriculum will educate students and professionals across the country, providing a catalyst for social activism.
Social impacts the film has already yielded include:
• Adopt-a-Box campaign, which brings necessities to struggling reserves
• key material for Native Awareness training program for OPP
• donations for the KI community collected via screenings and website
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
We hope the project will empower KI, increase awareness of FN challenges, inspire reconciliation projects across Canada.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
Reconciliation projects and partnerships could yield spin-off initiatives and form a viable movement to address disparities between FN and non-FN communities.
Providing KI and other FN youth with opportunities and inspiration to get involved in community activism and the arts could greatly influence their life direction by providing positive alternatives to despair and substance abuse.
The development and dissemination of a curriculum about challenges facing FN communities will increase awareness and inspire action among students and professionals.
Ultimately, this project could evolve into a larger national and international campaign to raise awareness of the needs of Indigenous Peoples world-wide.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
A collaborative partnership has formed between the community of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (K.I.) and Productions Cazabon Inc. to create this youth reconciliation tour that aims to raise awareness for, and improve, First Nation living conditions, while giving youth leadership opportunities. KI provided direct input to the film 3rd World Canada and will act as visionaries for this current project. The tour is a platform of their voices, their youth drum group and their message of reconciliation.
The support we received for our film, such as from Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Hon. Chris Bently, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, & The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean will allow this tour to connect to larger audiences.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
The 3rd World Canada Reconciliation Youth Tour will collaborate with communities across Canada, both First Nation and non-First Nation. We are in the process of connecting with schools, organizations, community centers, and reserves to create "Friends of the Tour." We will provide our "Friends of the Tour" with material to help them create their own reconciliation project that creates awareness of first nations' challenges and fosters positive change.
Building strong relationships with the "Friends of the Tour" will expand our network of tour destinations, provide more youth with leadership opportunities, and inspire first nation communities to use art as a tool to foster positive change and awareness for first nations' challenges.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
The main costs of the 3rd World Canada Youth Reconciliation Tour will result from traveling and hosting the tour participants - made up of KI's community members & youth drum group.
Our tour will be supported by staff and volunteers at each tour destination and in the office, who assist with event planning, local reconciliation projects, and event implementation.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agocarolyn doyle said: Hello! Thanks for sharing such an interesting entry. Can you share a bit more in terms of the connection to learning and education? It ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoAlexandra Graham said: I'm very excited to be part of this growing initiative. With Attawapiskat finally making headlines, there is a growing awareness of the ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 24 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 24 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 25 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 26 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
| 26 weeks agoAndrée Cazabon updated this Competition Entry. |
