Dilico Childrens Foundation

News

Thunder Bay, ON—Dilico Children’s Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $65,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) for the See Us, Hear Us project—a community-based initiative involving students from the elementary and secondary schools in the First Nations of Ginoogaming and Long Lake #58, north east of Thunder Bay. OTF Grant Review Team chair Keith Nymark attended the to congratulate Dilico Children’s Foundation at the news conference held to the launch the initiative.

“See Us, Hear Us is a Photovoice project that will provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn and practice life skills that include art, photography, activism, writing, communication, event planning, and marketing,” said Project Coordinator Celeste Pedri. “This is about empowering the creativity of youth to find new, innovative, and impactful ways to share their community’s strengths, resources, issues, and potentials. This is about providing youth, whose voices are often ignored, experience with making a difference in their community.”

Youth attending the 5/6 class at Migizi Wazisin Elementary and the Communications class at Niimki Migizi Secondary will be involved in the project, which begins February 3, 2011. Students will dedicate class time on Thursdays, for a total period of 16 weeks, on the project. During this time a Photovoice Facilitator will work through the project curriculum with the students. During the sessions students will learn about topics related to photography (camera techniques, ethics and safety, editing), writing stories about their images, how to plan exhibits and media planning. Every student will have access to their own digital camera. During certain weeks students will participate in supervised group excursions out in the community so they can practice their skills and collect their images. At the end of the project, the students will host exhibits of their work in their home communities and will invite their families, community members, teachers, and elders to attend. Students will also have the opportunity to travel to Thunder Bay to showcase their work to many public stakeholders, including political dignitaries and community leaders, at a large gala hosted by the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

“One of Dilico Children’s Foundation’s goals is to support the education of Anishinabek youth so that they can make a positive contribution to their communities,” said Elaine Graydon, Board President of DCF. “Youth have a very important role in articulating their communities concerns, issues, strengths, and potentials, and we thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for recognizing and supporting the importance and value of our community youth by providing the project funding.”

“Our government is pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation continues to make a difference in our communities. Congratulations to Dilico Children’s Foundation on receipt of this $65,000 grant towards this worthwhile youth project,” said Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay – Atikokan.

"I’m delighted to see this project receiving funding from OTF, and I wish I could be there to be part of today’s announcement,” said Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North. “The Dilico Children’s Foundation plays such an important role for children and families in our communities here in Northwestern Ontario. Truly understanding the challenges that young people in First Nations communities face will help to strengthen young lives, build bridges between cultures, and shape a brighter future for all of us. I wish everyone involved in this project, from the staff to the many students in Ginoogaming and Long Lake 58 schools, the greatest success with this project!” 

Both Ginoogaming and Long Lake #58 are members of the Matawa First Nations. The role of Matawa’s First Nations Education Department is to support any educational initiatives that result in school improvements and that positively impact the quality of education provided for students. Matawa hosted today’s news conference and Murray Waboose, Manager of Education, expressed his enthusiasm and support for the project.

“This project is about fostering self-confidence and pride in youth,” said Mr. Waboose. “It takes learning back into the community because it brings together individuals to celebrate and reflect on the contributions and experiences of the youth. “

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For more information about today’s announcement please contact:

 Celeste Pedri, Communications Manager, Dilico

(807) 629-6637 or email dilico%23com|celestepedri

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More information about Photovoice:

Photovoice blends photography, voice, and social activism. It provides community youth with new creative skills and opportunities to express their community’s strengths, resources, problems, and potentials. There are three main goals to Photovoice. First, it provides young people with the skills and opportunities to record and share their experiences and what they believe is important to their wellbeing. Second, it encourages youth and their community members to talk about important issues through dialogue surrounding the photographs. Third, it is about reaching policy makers and other individuals and groups who have make a difference.

Dilico Children’s Foundation was created in 2009 to provide life enriching experiences to Anishinabek children and youth living in northwestern Ontario. DCF is committed to supporting the educational, recreational and cultural needs of Anishinabek children and families living both on and off reserve.

A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives. An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities. www.trilliumfoundation.org