INDIGENOUS AWARENESS TRAINING
Workshop Overview
Objective:
This training aims to educate non-Indigenous organizations, studios, and media professionals about the historical context of racism faced by Indigenous peoples and how this history informs and intersects with their portrayal in media. By understanding these dynamics, participants can foster more respectful, accurate, and inclusive representations in their work. Actively pushing toward answering the calls to action as stated in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Training Outcomes:
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical Indigenous perspectives and its connection to media portrayals. They will learn practical strategies to ensure their work positively depicts Indigenous cultures, stories, and individuals, fostering a media landscape that respects and uplifts Indigenous voices.
Target Audience:
This training is designed for media professionals at all levels within non-Indigenous organizations and studios, including content creators, producers, directors, writers, marketing teams, and corporate leadership.
Duration:
The module can be customized in duration, from a half-day overview to a multi-day intensive workshop, depending on the organization's needs and desired depth of engagement.
This training module provides a foundation for building more robust, informed, and respectful relationships between the media sector and Indigenous communities, encouraging a shift toward more accurate and meaningful representation.
Workshop Layout
Introduction to Indigenous Histories:
Overview of Indigenous communities' diverse cultures, languages, and traditions.
Historical context of colonization, treaties, and policies that have impacted Indigenous peoples.
Examination of systemic racism's roots and its ongoing effects on Indigenous communities.
Truth and Reconciliation: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives:
Exploration of historical events and policies that institutionalized racism against Indigenous peoples.
Discussion on how these historical contexts contribute to contemporary biases and stereotypes.
Analysis of case studies highlighting discriminatory practices and their impacts.
Media Representation of Indigenous Peoples:
Overview of Indigenous representation in media, including film, television, news, and social platforms.
Critical analysis of stereotypes and tropes commonly associated with Indigenous characters and narratives.
Examination of the consequences of misrepresentation and underrepresentation on Indigenous identity and cultural perception.
The Role of Media in Shaping Perceptions:
Discuss the media's power in shaping societal attitudes and beliefs about Indigenous peoples.
Analysis of how media can either perpetuate harmful stereotypes or challenge and change negative perceptions.
Best practices for media professionals to engage respectfully and authentically with Indigenous stories and issues.
Creating Inclusive and Accurate Representations:
Guidelines for non-Indigenous media professionals to approach Indigenous representation responsibly.
Strategies for consulting with Indigenous communities and incorporating their voices and perspectives.
Case studies of successful, respectful collaborations in media productions.
Interactive Workshops and Reflection:
Facilitated workshops encourage participants to examine their own biases and the role they can play in promoting accurate representation.
Role-playing scenarios to practice respectful engagement and portrayal strategies.
Reflection session to consolidate learning and commit to actionable steps for change.
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Meet Your Facilitators
Curtis Pilon-Vinish is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, born and raised in Saskatoon, SK. He holds a B. Ed from the University of Saskatchewan, which he completed in 2019. After three years in the classroom, Curtis transitioned into an educational consultant work focusing on indigenous language revitalization and land-based education.
In addition to his work in education, Curtis is making waves as an up-and-coming actor. He showcased his talent in the Disney and 20th Century Studio film, PREY (2022) and most recently did voice over for the lead role in the animated film, solidifying his presence in the industry.
Driven by his passion for storytelling, Curtis has also established his own production company called Waniska Media Inc and serves as the founder and CEO of the Indigenous Futures Film Academy (IFFA). A non-profit organization aimed to providing film education programming to aspiring and emerging Indigenous artists.
Curtis is a multifaceted individual, actively contributing to the advancement of Indigenous representation in both the entertainment industry and education sector.
Curtis Pilon-Vinish
My name is Mel Sysing and I am an Anti Oppressive/Land Based Educator. I have been teaching for 18 years and my passion is Anti Oppressive Land Based education.
I am part of many initiatives within our community locally and nationally. Locally, I am head coordinator for the Anti Oppressive Education Committee for the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools; and also a Learning Leader in the areas of Anti Oppressive/Racism and Place/Land Based Education. Provincially, I am part of the SAFE committee from the University of Saskatchewan and Treaty Education resource consultant for the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation. Nationally, I am the provincial representative for the Canadian Teachers Federation on the Advisory Committee -Diversity and Human Rights.
Moreover, I am a PhD candidate at University of Saskatchewan in the department of Educational Foundations.