Today, the National Screen Institute welcomed 10 emerging Indigenous creators as they began their training through the CBC New Indigenous Voices program.
CBC New Indigenous Voices is a full-time, 14-week program for Indigenous creators to learn the essential elements of working in the film, TV and digital media industries. Participants are immersed in hands-on training, collaborative group work and mentorship to build their skills in the industry and take their careers to the next level.
Introducing the 2023 CBC New Indigenous Voices cohort:
- Lisa Abel (M'Chigeeng First Nation / Ontario)
- Asha Bear (Tobique First Nation / New Brunswick)
- Lucas Boudreau (St. Laurent / Manitoba)
- Sage Boulanger-McLeod (Berens River First Nation / Manitoba)
- Renée Courchene (Sagkeeng First Nation / Manitoba)
- Apollo Dawson (Dzawada'enuxw First Nation / British Columbia)
- Jacob Dorie (Black River First Nation / Manitoba)
- Alysha Johnny-Hawkins (Tahltan First Nation / British Columbia)
- John Luke (Kivalliq Region / Manitoba)
- Linsey Murdock (Fisher River Cree Nation / Manitoba)
Read more about these creators.
For the first time since 2019, training will be in-person in Winnipeg. Participants will work out of Big Sky Studios - Winnipeg’s newest film and television production space. The studio is designed for large-scale productions with four sound stages, space for constructing sets and training rooms.
“After three years of delivering this program online, I’m thrilled to have CBC New Indigenous Voices return to in-person training. With the support of Big Sky Studios, we’re able to provide participants with an authentic industry experience,” says program manager, Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill. “It’s always an honour to oversee the participants as they learn and grow together - not only as a cohort, but as a community.”
Program curriculum is designed with traditional and spiritual elements, with participants receiving minimum wage throughout.
Training begins with two weeks of online classroom sessions and group activities with industry leaders covering all aspects of the creative media arts. In late June, participants will gather in Winnipeg at Big Sky Studios where they will work on producing and editing their own short film and learn the many positions required to bring an idea from script to screen.
Upon successful completion of the classroom sessions and film project, participants will begin their internships. Previous internship placements include CBC Manitoba, Eagle Vision, Kejic Productions, Winnipeg Film Group and work on film sets.
For over 18 years, CBC New Indigenous Voices has provided a platform for emerging Indigenous creators to develop themselves and their skills. Program alumni have gone on to screen films at national and international film festivals, launch their own production companies and produce acclaimed films and television series. Notable alumni include Adeline Bird, Erica Daniels, Darcy Waite, Ryan Cooper and RBC Emerging Indigenous Filmmaker Award recipient Desiree Brightnose.
Program faculty includes advisor Erica Daniels (CBC New Indigenous Voices, NSI IndigiDocs and Manitoba Content Creators Development Accelerator), Indigenous training programs advisor Lisa Meeches (NSI Storytellers) and program coordinator Grace Bruinooge. The program includes guidance from an Elder.
CBC New Indigenous Voices runs until August 2023.
CBC New Indigenous Voices 2023 is funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), Telefilm Canada; Industry Partner IATSE Local 856; Service Sponsors William F. White International, Line 21 Media Services, iSplice Films. NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council. More sponsors will be added as confirmed.
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About CBC / Radio-Canada
CBC / Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster. Through our mandate to inform, enlighten and entertain, we play a central role in strengthening Canadian culture. As Canada’s trusted news source, we offer a uniquely Canadian perspective on news, current affairs and world affairs. Our distinctively homegrown entertainment programming draws audiences from across the country. Deeply rooted in communities, CBC / Radio-Canada offers diverse content in English, French and eight Indigenous languages. We also deliver content in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog, as well as both official languages, through Radio Canada International (RCI). We are leading the transformation to meet the needs of Canadians in a digital world.
About the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI)
Propelled by a visionary network of donors, private and public organizations, board members and staff, the National Screen Institute supports creators from across Canada to tell unforgettable stories. Through industry-informed training and mentoring in film, television and digital media, students and alumni find their voice and place on the global stage, inspiring us to shape a better world.
We are committed to training participants from a diverse community of voices including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+), people with disabilities, those outside large urban centres, those from regional and remote areas and various religious groups.
Media enquiries
Rachel Young, Outreach and Engagement Lead
rachel.young@nsi-canada.ca
