2008

In the 2006-2007 Fiscal period the Kitikmeot Inuit Association hosted a Multi-Media workshop with funding assistance provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage. This provided an avenue for youth to engage themselves in a structured learning environment that enabled the participants to build on skill development that focused on 2 primary objectives:

1) to enable youth to learn new skills, while utilizing modern technology such as cameras, computers and web-based software to document the lives of Inuit youth today; and

2) to document elders stories about the challenges and experiences they face which fosters relationships with elders & youth to ensure that the traditional knowledge that elders possess is passed on to the younger generation, in a fun and non-threatening environment. 

Participants engaged themselves in the production of a short 10 minute video, called Ajjikamra, that captured the one-week session where youth joined elders, community leaders, and spent time on the land learning about elders and what life is like living in a small remote arctic community. The workshop focused on elements such as basic camera operation, story plotting, interview skills, and basic editing skills. This workshop was a complete success where participants identified the need to strengthen these skills and continue to utilize media as a vehicle to capture, communicate and share this valuable knowledge. The KIA followed the direction of Inuit youth and sought to work and build on this momentum created at this workshop, and to enable youth of the Kitikmeot region to gain the skills needed to express themselves, in a positive and respectful manner, while engaging themselves in meaningful dialogue with elders and community leaders.  

The Youth Leadership and Multi-media workshops sought to assist the KIA in providing community groups with assistance to form and strengthen partnerships and, more specifically, to help Youth Committees and Hamlet Councils work closer together to deliver beneficial programs to youth in their communities; to allow and assist community groups to meet their objectives in improving their communities, including the opening and successful operation of Local Youth Centres. 

Utilizing funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, KIA brought together 21 youth from across the Kitikmeot Region to participate in the workshops.  While the majority of the youth participants were taking part in this for the first time, some youth returned for year two of Ajjikamra, building on their skills and experiences from the past year.

A full report describing the activities of the workshop and discussions that took place in Ikaluktutiak from March 17-22, 2008, is available by clicking here.