9/17/2008
Director of Development Leaves for One Year.
Weengushk Film Institute would like to congratulate Peter Marra, Director of Development at WFI, on his one-year volunteer term that he will be doing in Africa. Peter Marra had applied to this position last year and was successfully accepted into this term in May of 2008. Weengushk Film Institute would like to congratulate Peter on this accomplishment and we wish him all the best on his term. We look forward to seeing you in a year!
Weengushk Film Institute would like to welcome Taylor Sayers.
Taylor Sayers will be taking the position of the Marketing and Resource Development Manager, and is a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Business Administration Program at Laurentian University and brings a wealth of experience from working within the marketing and education sector. Taylor Sayers is currently under an internship that is funded by NOHFC. We would like to extend a warm welcome to her.
Weengushk Film Institute would like to congratulate our following Board Members.
We would like to congratulate president, Shirley Cheechoo and Board Member David Nahwegahbow, on their National Aboriginal Achievement Awards that they received in March of 2008. WFI would also like to congratulate both of them on their Lifetime Achievement Awards, Shirley Cheechoo received a Sante Fe Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and David received an Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award. We also want to congratulate Leland Bell as he received an Honorary Doctorate from Laurentian University. Congratulations to all!
*We would like to extend our apologies to any Board Members that we may have missed that received an award within the last year. If you would like to email us with your accomplishment that would be great as we will congratulate you in our next newsletter.
Weengushk Film Institute announces $35 000 donation.
Weengushk Film Institute is proud to announce that CTVglobemedia has contributed a donation of $35 000 towards its operations. This grant is one that marks an important move towards others making a donation to the institute, as it steps towards its mandate to serve Aboriginal and Diversity Artisans in Northern Ontario.
“We are definitely pleased and honoured that CTVglobemedia has chosen us as a recipient for a donation,” stated Shirley Cheechoo, President. “This grant will contribute towards the development and training for many First Nations Youth who will be attending the institute. The film school is very proud to have received this donation.”
Weengushk Film Institute receives funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Weengushk Film Institute is proud to announce that the application for funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation has been approved. WFI receives $75 000.00 for film equipment for their youth program and $50 000 for operational costs. These two amounts will be disbursed over a period of 18 months. WFI would like to thank the OTF for this approval of funding; please stay tuned for a news release announcing this great news.
Weengushk Film Institute held First Youth Summer Camp this year.
This year Weengushk Film Institute in partnership with the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) held the first Summer Scenes film camp in M’Chigeeng, Ontario for youth aged 9 – 14 years of age. There were a total of 6 youth that joined the summer camp and they came from Wikwemikong First Nation and M’Chigeeg First Nation. The youth learned various components about the filmmaking business and they were involved in everything from designing the scripts, to producing, directing, editing, and lighting and sound components. The instructor who taught the course was Ian Skorodin from Los Angeles, CA. This was WFI’s first youth summer camp and it was a great success for all that were involved. The youth completed the two-week course and developed three films that were screened at the OCF on the last day. It was a great turnout and everyone was extremely pleased. Below are a couple of quotes from the summer students:
Faith Beaudin - 12 years old (M’Chigeeng First Nation): “It’s a great experience. You should join. It helps to overcome shyness to act.”
Brittany Manitowabi – 12 years old (Wikwemikong First Nation): “You can overcome nervousness and become at ease.”
Danielle Manitowabi – 10 years old (Wikwemikong First Nation): “I feel better about myself, with less shyness. It’s work, but you have fun at the same time. I think acting is pretty cool!”
A quick note: The youth that developed films this year at the summer camp will have their films being shown at a Los Angeles Native American film festival that is held in Los Angeles CA this year. A big congratulations to these youth as this is an exciting endeavour!
Weengushk Film Institute held their First Yard Sale.
Weengushk Film Institute held their very first yard sale event in M’Chigeeng, ON. The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) generously allowed Weengushk to hold the yard sale on their property, as it was the ideal location. The yard sale was met with great success and the film institute made approximately $436.00. Weengushk Film Institute would like to thank the following people as they contributed to the yard sale in any way that they could:
Board Members: Stig Pushnel, Chris Theijsmeijer, Shirley & Blake Debassige
Volunteers: Una Cheechoo, Billy Cheechoo, Tiffany Cheechoo, Audrey Debassige, Pauline Debassige, Debbie Corbiere – Debassige, Debra Hare, Bear Debassige, Nano Debassige, Tom Hare, and Jeanine Debassige
We would also like to thank the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation for the use of their property, tables and chairs. A Big Miigwetch to all!
Weengushk Film Institute receives funding from Ontario Arts Council.
Weengushk Film Institute is pleased to announce that they have received a grant for $15 000 from the Ontario Arts Council. This grant that has been received is being used towards the development of marketing materials for the youth program that will begin in September 2009.
Weengushk Film Institute Announces New Projects of 2008 and 2009.
Weengushk Film Institute is delighted to announce that they are planning the following projects pending funding:
Community Workshops: The film institute is planning to hold 6 workshops within the community of M’Chigeeng First Nation. These workshops will focus on the crafts of filmmaking. They may range anywhere from Cinematography to Animation. WFI currently has an application before the Ontario Arts Council.
Write the Rail Workshop: This workshop will focus on screenwriting and will be held in partnership with Weeneebeg Film Festival. The participants will be chosen from a group of filmmakers that will be having their films showcased at the Weeneebeg Film Festival. They will travel from Toronto on the Ontario Northland train all the way to Moosonee, ON all while being able to work on the development of their scripts. WFI currently has an application before the Ontario Arts Council for this project.
Summer Youth Workshop: The film institute has an application before the Atkinson Foundation to seek funds to develop a summer youth camp, similar to the one held in M’Chigeeng, ON, which will be held on Bear Island, also known as Temagami First Nation.
Weengushk Film Institute is hoping that the funding for these projects will be approved and we can work towards developing our programming that we can offer to the communities. Please contact WFI for pre-registration.
Weengushk Film Institute is looking for an Angel.
Weengushk Film Institute is currently looking to purchase the Bear’s Inn on Manitoulin Island to be the home of the film institute for all of the classes and accommodations for students. If you know of anyone that may be interested in this endeavour please contact Shirley Cheechoo 705-377-4141 to discuss this opportunity in-depth.
Weengushk Film Institute hires Office Administrator.
Weengushk Film Institute announces a new Office Administrator. This OA is being funded through the LDM Job Opportunities program through M’Chigeeng First Nation. WFI has hired Dawn Debassige a former board member of WFI, and someone that brings plenty of experience in the area of Office Administration. Whenever anyone calls WFI offices they will hear Dawn’s voice on the other line. WFI welcomes Dawn to their team.
Weengushk Film Institute receives funding from Fednor for a Youth Intern.
Weengushk Film Institute is looking to expand within its offices. They are currently looking for a youth under the age of 30 years that has graduated within the last three years from an accredited college or university to become the Youth Program Director. This position will be funded through Fednor’s Internship program and will commence as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for a complete job description and pass on to anyone that you think will be interested and qualifies for this position. Also please check our website for updates regarding this position.
