First Nations students explore art of filmmaking

Children in First Nations communities around the proposed Ring of Fire are learning about rocks while making a movie.

For many of the kids in the DAREarts filmmaking camp, this is their first exposure to the art. But camp director Genevieve Anthony said many of the students — aged six to 17 years — are quick to pick it up.

About 40 children participated in the first film camp last week held in Webequie. They were asked what they liked about rocks and minerals, and then wrote a story and filmed the shots. Anthony was thrilled with their response.

"Pictures are an international language," she said. "So what it means is they're able to share their stories more clearly and they take ownership."

The youngsters enthusiasm during the Webequie camp impressed Anthony, who said the camp’s attendance grew with each passing day.

"It’s windy, it's rainy and they showed up. So there's a lot of pride in their art," she said.

This year, DAREarts partnered with film company Engage Learning to help with the technical side of things, as well as NorOnt Resources to help teach the basics of mining. 

"Not only are they getting the knowledge of the actual geology but they're getting to take what they're learning and kind of explain it back to us," NorOnt’s manager of corporate responsibility, Kaitlyn Ferris, said.

This week the team is in Marten Falls and afterwards they’ll head to Longlac.

Ferris says she hopes they make it to other communities this fall to teach more kids about why film "rocks."