
Indigenous storytelling and film takes centre stage at the Greater Victoria School Districtās all-staff professional development day on May 19th.
The second annual Indigenous Storytelling & Film Festival features 20 events at 11 locations, including Indigenous films, authors, storytellers, land-based learning, and other offerings that highlight Indigenous peoplesā stories, culture, and worldviews.
All events present opportunities for staff to learn more about Indigenous perspectives while developing a greater understanding of how to engage with the . Moderated discussions will happen before and after each event, led by Indigenous guest presenters alongside District staff for areas that spark learning.
āWe were so inspired by the number of participants and the positive feedback that we received last year when we offered our first ever Indigenous Film Festival, that we knew we had to build on that success and expand the event to include a range of storytelling art forms,ā said Director of Indigenous Education Dr. Shelly Niemi. āOver 1,250 employees have registered for the festival, which speaks to the ongoing commitment in our District to recognize the importance and value of Indigenous knowledge and how it must be woven into the fabric of the public education system. We are co-presenting some of this yearās events with community and we are sharing resources that will provide a wonderful range of experiences. We will also include senior Indigenous students who will act as ushers and supports at various venues.ā
The festivalās feature film presentation will be The Mind of a Child, followed by a guest presentation by Dr. Lorna Wanostsāa7 Williams, Professor Emerita of Indigenous Education, Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Victoria and Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics, and the filmās director/producer Gary Marcuse.
Other featured festival guests include MĆ©tis Fiddler Tristen Durocher, Haida Storyteller Kung Jaadee, Educator Carolyn Roberts, Artist Tejas Collison, and authors Samantha Beynon and Peggy Janicki. Venues for the day include four school-based theatres, Camosun Collegeās Gibson Auditorium, land-based learning at PKOLS and Sį¹IDČ»EȽ (Tod Inlet, Gowlland-Tod Provincial Park), the Esquimalt Bighouse, the Pacific Operaās Baumann Centre, and the Gorge Pavilion.
āThe Indigenous Film and Storytelling Festival is a creative way to provide our staff with the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation and awareness of Indigenous stories and will serve to enhance Indigenous knowledge and well-being in schools,ā said District Superintendent Deb Whitten. āAs a school district, we are committed to finding ways to better understand how to engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. I have great appreciation for the collaborative partnerships and work that has gone into coordinating this day for our entire learning community.ā
Planning for the festivalās events was undertaken by the District Professional Development Planning Committee, which includes members of the Greater Victoria School Districtās Indigenous Education Department and Leadership Team, the Greater Victoria Teachersā Association, and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 947).
Learn More:
SPECIAL GUESTS
Author Samantha Beynon:
MƩtis Fiddler/Knowledge Keeper Tristen Durocher:
Haida Storyteller Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy):
Author Peggy Janicki:
Director Gary Marcuse:
Artist Carey Newman:
PEPĆįø“Eį¹ HĆUTW̱ land-based learning:
Educator Carolyn Roberts:
Dr. Lorna Wanostsāa7 Williams:
FILMS
Feature Film: The Mind of a Child:
Beans:
First Daughter and the Black Snake:
Lekwungen: Place to Smoke Herring:
The Making of the Witness Blanket:
Pour toi Flora (series):
The Raising of the Oaklands School Pole:
The Road Forward: