'Kayas Project
'Kayas (meaning road in Kwakwala) is a web-series and a one-hour documentary following the journey of two sisters searching for what it means to be native youth in the 21st century. Primarily an endeavour in uncovering the identity of contemporary native youth, the project will follow these two young, aboriginal women as they set out to define what identifies them as aboriginal as they make their way to their family Potlatch in Gwayi, British Columbia. The journey will be a physical as well as metaphorical one. Physically it will consist of the road trip through Western Canada, meeting aboriginal youth along the way. The metaphorical journey will be one of finding one’s contemporary native identity and where we are going from here.
We believe that this project will open up the floor to native youth around Canada to discuss the issues affecting contemporary native youth, and help to paint a picture of what contemporary native identity looks like. We hope to reflect native youth the way they see themselves, not the way that society sees them.
We are going to be building a strong online community, encouraging interaction with the project hosts and other youth. We have Twitter, Facebook, and a Blog set up, and we will be streaming clips, interviews, and content as the project progresses. We will crowd source suggestions for topics and destinations as we go along, making it not just a personal journey, but one shared with our online community.
About You
About You
First Name
Jessica
Last Name
McIntyre
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
'Kayas Project
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Website
Country
Canada
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations people.
What best describes your group or organization
Other.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
Less than a year
Innovation
Name Your Entry
'Kayas Project
Tell us the story of your idea or project
'Kayas (meaning road in Kwakwala) is a web-series and a one-hour documentary following the journey of two sisters searching for what it means to be native youth in the 21st century. Primarily an endeavour in uncovering the identity of contemporary native youth, the project will follow these two young, aboriginal women as they set out to define what identifies them as aboriginal as they make their way to their family Potlatch in Gwayi, British Columbia. The journey will be a physical as well as metaphorical one. Physically it will consist of the road trip through Western Canada, meeting aboriginal youth along the way. The metaphorical journey will be one of finding one’s contemporary native identity and where we are going from here.
We believe that this project will open up the floor to native youth around Canada to discuss the issues affecting contemporary native youth, and help to paint a picture of what contemporary native identity looks like. We hope to reflect native youth the way they see themselves, not the way that society sees them.
We are going to be building a strong online community, encouraging interaction with the project hosts and other youth. We have Twitter, Facebook, and a Blog set up, and we will be streaming clips, interviews, and content as the project progresses. We will crowd source suggestions for topics and destinations as we go along, making it not just a personal journey, but one shared with our online community.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
Two sisters on a journey to discover what being aboriginal is in the 21st century is while simultaneously finding out what being aboriginal means to them.
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
The project will be dealing with the issue of identity. The question of “Who am I?” is one that is pertinent is native communities across the country. Our show will open up dialogue about this issue, through forums, twitter, and facebook, where First Nations youth can feel comfortable and safe talking about their own personal identity issues.
We will be giving a voice to people who have never had an opportunity to share their story.
‘Kayas will wrap up with the Potlatch, which means that we will be there filming aspects of the ceremonies and practices, creating a record for future reference.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
We will generate a following leading up to the filming of the documentary, which will be happening over six weeks
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
Leading up to the Potlatch we will be travlling throughout western/northern Canada. Our itinerary for the summer includes the following communities: Vancouver, Castlegar, Edmonton, Fort Simpson, Rae, Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Dawson, Fort MacPherson, Inuvik, Haida Gwaii and Kingcome.
After the filming of the show, we will compile all our footage into a 1 hour long documentary. We will be approaching APTN with the show to see if they would like to broadcast it. If not then we will post it on our website. We will also be submitting it in film festivals.
If the show is a success we hope to do a follow up show exploring identity issues in eastern Canada. Our main goal is to keep the conversation going, stay connected with the people we meet and keep telling their story.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
We are just at the start up of our project so we do not have an extended list of partnerships. We have a strong supportive group of mentors, including a senior reporter for APTN National News, Robert Smith, who will be helping us novice filmmakers get this project together.
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.
APTN Request for Proposal (RFP) – applying for funding for the project – funding and airing of the final documentary
Canadian Medie Fund (CMF) – applying for funding
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)
We will be looking to our viewers for support as we go along our journey. Getting them to suggest places to visit and people to talk to.
We have also talked with Western Arctic Moving Pictures (WAMP) and they will be renting us gear (camera, tripod, light kit) for a good price.
We will be staying with friends and family along the way.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoJessica McIntyre updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoRobert Anson Smith said: This is an amazing idea. A journey of discovery.. search for identity. How exciting. what does it mean to be a First Nation person at ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agoHelen Knott said: I love this. I always wanted to do workshops on "redefining the warrior". To see what a leader/warrior looked like in a historical ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 17 weeks agoJessica McIntyre updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoJessica McIntyre submitted this idea. |
