Fellows in JHR’s Growing Indigenous Storytellers Fellowship conclude their six-month placement at APTN with a final project that brings together everything they’ve learned through the program.
JHR is proud to present the final projects of the fellowship’s first cohort, Angela Belleau and Veronica Blackhawk, and second cohort member, Ryan Cunningham.
Also read: Veronica Blackhawk and Angela Belleau share their GISF fellowship journeys with APTN
Angela Belleau, ‘Sacrifice Zones’, APTN Investigates
In this hour-long feature aired on APTN Investigates as part of APTN’s National Indigenous Peoples Day programming, Angela Belleau took the audience inside Indigenous fenceline communities living in dangerous proximity to pollutant-spewing industries.
Environmental advocate Lynn Jacobs (Kahnawà:ke) and community leaders CJ Smith-White and O’gimaa Janelle Nahmabin describe how plastic production and petrochemical pollution have reduced their homelands into what Jacobs calls “sacrifice zones”, places treated as disposable by governments and industry.
And even as their communities endure ongoing health crises and benzene leaks, the Global Plastics Treaty — for which the three participated in high-level negotiations — continues to sideline Indigenous rights.
This is as much a story about the fight against plastics as it is about the fight for Indigenous land, health and sovereignty.
Veronica Blackhawk, ‘Face Value’, APTN
In a five-part video series, Veronica Blackhawk talked to Indigenous musicians and industry professionals across the country about cultural identity in music – and how it affects the community at large. The project continued the conversation sparked by coverage of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s identity.
Featuring voices like Métis folk musician Mitchell Makoons, Anishinaabe artist Tashiina Buswa and Juno Award winner Cody Bowles, ‘Face Value’ highlights the personal, cultural and professional fallout of identity disputes, while also asking what repair can look like and how future policies can protect both culture and community.
Ryan Cunningham, coverage of 20th anniversary Intertribal Gathering of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance, APTN National News
In this piece, fellow Ryan Cunningham shines a light on the important work of Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) by showcasing their 20th Intertribal Gathering in Vancouver. The event featured performances by some of the top Indigenous theatre, dance, and music performers from across Turtle Island, and has as its mission to continue the process of promoting and supporting Indigenous performing arts as a component of cultural sovereignty.
Watch this space for final projects by other members of Cohort II of the Growing Indigenous Storytellers Fellowship!
