Lights....Camera....be Ab...original
A lot of Native teachings and stories are passed on by ceremonies, story tellers, dance and drum. Presently Pow Wow drums are called traditional and contemporary. My idea for a project is to tell a story or passing on the teachings through modern music. This will be done with lyrics that would be written, sung and performed by our people. The drum would be included in the instruments, if they choose to use it. There would also be some dancing to go along with this idea. The main players in this project are the children but, as you will read on, other people also need to be involved.
This idea has been simmering for a while now. It didn’t just “pop up”. It first took place when my son took interest in learning how to play the guitar through lessons and he shared the idea with some of his friends and got their interest. These days, not all kids want to drum and dance in a Pow Wow setting but I can guarantee you that all kids know the top ten hits on the music charts. Last summer, at the “summer camp”, we had sing-a-longs around a campfire and a few of the girls really had awesome voices, (of course, singing Britney Spears’ songs!). There are no musical arts in the community school, except for the Christmas concert. We are currently looking at hip-hop dance classes and this could tie into this project. We can even see a native flavored hip-hop dance emerging with some modern native flavored music. A new kind of art: “Modern-Nish!”
This project will help make a difference in relationships and build teamwork and spirit among kids of all ages. Parents, peers, and the community will be thrilled of the accomplishments and they will learn something at the same time. The song will pass on a traditional message/teaching. Inter-generational members of different backgrounds will begin to share once more.
There will be an array of people involved: First, elders and drummers will be approached to discuss with everyone and find a message or a teaching that is needed to be written for a song. Secondly, teachers, local musicians, technicians, our dance instructor, native dancers, the elders and drummers once more, will be consulted for: song writing, using musical instruments and technical aspects, designing costumes/props and dancing. And at the end, everyone in the community will be invited to see the final product at a community representation.
We want to post a video of our project on our website so it can be viewed all around the world. We are even considering videotaping all the steps to demonstrate that cooperation can bring people together to produce a grand project. We expect the final production to happen in approximately one year. The main goal of this project is to enhance pride and confidence in all the participants as native people and especially to come as one by sharing a common goal.
About You
About You
First Name
Harold
Last Name
McKenzie
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
harold101
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
Timiskaming First Nation Band Administration, Social Development Department
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
Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Innovation
Name Your Entry
Lights....Camera....be Ab...original
Tell us the story of your idea or project
A lot of Native teachings and stories are passed on by ceremonies, story tellers, dance and drum. Presently Pow Wow drums are called traditional and contemporary. My idea for a project is to tell a story or passing on the teachings through modern music. This will be done with lyrics that would be written, sung and performed by our people. The drum would be included in the instruments, if they choose to use it. There would also be some dancing to go along with this idea. The main players in this project are the children but, as you will read on, other people also need to be involved.
This idea has been simmering for a while now. It didn’t just “pop up”. It first took place when my son took interest in learning how to play the guitar through lessons and he shared the idea with some of his friends and got their interest. These days, not all kids want to drum and dance in a Pow Wow setting but I can guarantee you that all kids know the top ten hits on the music charts. Last summer, at the “summer camp”, we had sing-a-longs around a campfire and a few of the girls really had awesome voices, (of course, singing Britney Spears’ songs!). There are no musical arts in the community school, except for the Christmas concert. We are currently looking at hip-hop dance classes and this could tie into this project. We can even see a native flavored hip-hop dance emerging with some modern native flavored music. A new kind of art: “Modern-Nish!”
This project will help make a difference in relationships and build teamwork and spirit among kids of all ages. Parents, peers, and the community will be thrilled of the accomplishments and they will learn something at the same time. The song will pass on a traditional message/teaching. Inter-generational members of different backgrounds will begin to share once more.
There will be an array of people involved: First, elders and drummers will be approached to discuss with everyone and find a message or a teaching that is needed to be written for a song. Secondly, teachers, local musicians, technicians, our dance instructor, native dancers, the elders and drummers once more, will be consulted for: song writing, using musical instruments and technical aspects, designing costumes/props and dancing. And at the end, everyone in the community will be invited to see the final product at a community representation.
We want to post a video of our project on our website so it can be viewed all around the world. We are even considering videotaping all the steps to demonstrate that cooperation can bring people together to produce a grand project. We expect the final production to happen in approximately one year. The main goal of this project is to enhance pride and confidence in all the participants as native people and especially to come as one by sharing a common goal.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
This idea will promote: creativity, communication, self-confidence and teamwork abilities in our children through music. Viewers will be traditionally educated.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
This project will definitely have a social impact on our community because it will exhibit hidden talents, it will provide Aboriginal Awareness, and build pride in ourselves. Our children will be educated and apply what is learned through hands-on experience through the music industry.
Once this project is completed, the participants may want to continue to dance, play an instrument, or may be interested in a technical career. More importantly they will carry this experience for the rest of their lives and say, “I was part of a music video”.
The participants will want to share with others and in fact be role models. They will be sharing the results of the project through performances, the computer (ex: facebook, youtube, website…), media sources, and by word of mouth.
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
This pilot project will promote interest, imagination and participation for up and coming kids, volunteers, and youth for future
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
This project will have been running for 5 years and will be structured accordingly and according to policy. Pride will be high. Past participants will act as role models and resource personnel for the project will pass on what they learnt. Participants will be from all walks of life and they will learn to work as one towards a common goal.
There will be an archive of past projects, this will include: photos, videos, interviews, reports, scrapbooks, recordings, all who participated, possible shows, or any other evidence or accomplishments.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
My department’s mandate is social development, we will be getting the project off the ground. Within my department is: a Coordinator, Cultural Coordinator, and a Social Activities Coordinator.
People who are already involved: teachers at the community school, Kiwetin. They will be helping the kids with their song writing and there is a specialist in music who could guide the fluency of melody and lyrics together. There is commitment from one individual from the Education’s Department, he is a musician and is willing to teach guitar lessons. The community radio station will be helping with recordings and audio equipment.
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.
I will be contacting elders for ideas of past legends or stories. Also I will be contacting local traditional drummers and dancers for ideas and recommendations. We also need to have discussions with the members but especially the children about the teachings and messages that we wish to convey in this project. We have a computer technician on staff who will help us upload the video on our site and show the children how to videotape the whole project.
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)
There is some audio equipment, video/digital cameras (band office has a sound system) readily available. Any recordings and space, the community radio station will accommodate. Participants will be required to provide their own instrument. There will be in-kind contributions from the community through equipment or volunteer their expertise (ex: instrumental, technical, singing, and physically…).
My department will commit the time and resources to help coordinate the project.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 17 weeks agoHarold McKenzie updated this Competition Entry. |
| 17 weeks agoHarold McKenzie submitted this idea. |
