ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019

Table of xxxxxxxxxxxx Contents

Opening Welcome 04

Message from Management 05

Board of Directors 06

Wapikoni’s Strategic Axes 07

Inspire & Belong 09

Create & Exist 11

Enhancement & Improvement 14

Transmission & Sharing 16

Communications in Numbers 19

Financial Statements 19

Partners 20

Final Word 21

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 3 OPENING WELCOME

Melissa Mollen Dupuis , Ekuanitshit - President of the Board of Directors

As president of Wapikoni for yet again another year, I have to say I couldn’t be prouder of the accomplishments of our beautiful organization. From the mobile studio stopovers in communities, to the traveling cinema tours, to the International activities, Wapikoni sure can shine! Every project we do is new and unique, which makes our organization in constant movement. This year, Manon Barbeau announced her retirement from her role of Executive Director and has worked closely with our new executive director Odile Joannette to ensure a smooth transition. Luckily for us, Manon is staying with us as Founding President of Wapikoni, this combined with Odile’s impressive record means that the sky is the limit. Working with this new team has been an absolute delight, and I am pleased to present this annual report which highlights the fruits of Wapikoni’s efforts in its numerous inspiring initiatives.

4 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 MESSAGE FROM MANAGEMENT

Odile Joannette, Innu, - Executive Director

It is an honour for me to join the great Wapikoni team and help celebrate 15 years of dedication to our voices and talents. Believing in the power of art and film to build bridges, connect and transform, I thank the Board of Directors for their confidence as the first Indigenous Executive Director. I know the value of narrative sovereignty, intergenerational dialogue and wish to contribute to the need for increased accessibility to creative spaces, tools for expression, and professional mentoring and capacity building. The voices of our Peoples living in communities, isolated villages or urban settings must resonate in our societies. This annual report illustrates the work of Wapikoni, which proudly supports its collective of inspiring artists and has succeeded in ensuring that the collection of magnificent films travels the world and reaches new audiences every year.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 5 Board xxxxxxxxxxx Of Directors

Melissa Molen Dupuis, Innu, David Suzuki Foundation President Manon Barbeau, President and Co-founder of Wapikoni Vice-president Kevin Papatie, Artist and filmmaker Vice-president Clément St-Cyr, Former Administrator of the Atikamekw Nation Council Secretary-Treasurer André Dudemaine, Innu, Terres en vue Administrator Dany Chilton, Atikamekw, Atikamekw Nation Council Administrator Marie Gagnon, Executive Director of the Foundation René Malo Administrator Patricia Auclair, Huronne-Wendat, Aboriginal Tourism Administrator

Another fruitful year thanks to the work of a generous and dynamic team! Thank you to all those who contributed to the memorable success of 2018–2019.

We would also like to thank all those who were consulted and involved in the development and production of this annual report.

6 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Wapikoni’s strategic axes

The beauty of art is that it expresses the plurality of identities and cultures. Wapikoni therefore contributes to social and societal transformations on a personal, relational and collective level as well Artistic expression and engagement support the development Provide tools, equipment, space and professional mentors as by facilitating connections, recognition and collaborations. By of esteem, confidence and empowerment; it sparks directly to communities to create short films and music placing at the heart of our action, the collection of works and the inspiration and fosters ambition, leadership and commitment. recordings. Indigenous expression must be allowed to exist The process thus develops a sense of belonging, enriches in the artistic and cultural landscape and must be able to take collective of artists and communities, we aim to have an impact at identity pride and serves cultural preservation and transmission. place in a space of complete narrative sovereignty where artistic all levels. The path is as important as the destination because learning property and copyright are fully protected. By reaching out to while creating awakens and promises! Indigenous talent, we support the development of a unique artistic signature!

Transmission & Sharing

Collection Human & Learning of works collective Inspire Improve our structure, services, tools and management It is imperative that we share … our knowledge, our learning, & & methods in order to become more rooted in the needs of our tools, our experience, our expertise, our methodology and Growth Belong our sector and our collective. Offer spaces for continuous, our magnificent collection. We develop new audiences, raise culturally adapted learning. Develop professionalization awareness among diverse audiences, regularly cross borders during productions resulting from our audiovisual services, and contribute to societal debates and reflections for change— personalize support in preparing for the industry, introduction because we believe that together, it’s possible! to markets and public and media relations, develop artistic Create residencies and offer mentoring in research, cultural and & educational animation and in connection with the work of film Exist programming commissioner. In this way, we contribute to the development of talent in a different way!

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 7 8 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Inspire x & Belong

Wapikoni works to provide support and inspiration. It is the Bell Media People’s Choice Award spark and awakening that will first allow participants to find ▶ Ka Ussi-Tshishkutamashuht (Les débutants | Beginners), by themselves or each other, and then to fulfill their potential. Rachel, Béatrice and Gisèle Mark.

Awards and Honours ▶ My Favourite Food is Indian Tacos, my Favourite Drink is ▶ Iced Tea and my Favourite Thing is Drumming (J’adore les 8 new prizes awarded to Wapikoni artists, for a total of tacos indiens, le thé glacé et jouer du tambour), by Derius 170 prizes and mentions. Matchewan. ▶ Wapikoni was awarded a Citizenship Award from the Association Canadienne de l’Ordre National du Mérite Involvement Award La Fabrique culturelle, and the Médaille hommage du 50e anniversaire du Télé-Québec miniestère des Relations internationales et de la ▶ Nikanite (Keep Moving), by Vicki Aylestock. Francophonie.

▶ Odile Joannette has become a Fellow of the Canadian Art Summit.

▶ Manon Barbeau received the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Award for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non- Violence, the Insigne de Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de la République française and became a Compagne des Arts et des Lettres du Québec.

Each year, awards are presented to talents at the Annual launch: WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 9 · Traveling studio A

· Traveling studio B Following · Traveling studio C · Local workshop Wapikoni’s Route · Communities

10 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Create & & Exist

By reaching out to Indigenous talent, Wapikoni provides ▶ Elsewhere in : the tools, resources and artistic equipment as well as the · 3 provinces: British-Columbia, Alberta, Ontario; spaces for creation. · 4 communities and cities: Clearwater River, Thunder From April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2019, Wapikoni mobile Bay, Vancouver and Wiikwemkoong; organized: · 4 Nations: Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Dene. These creative and training workshops reached 543 ▶ 21 trainings and creative workshops: participants (48% girls), 406 of whom were from · 13 in Quebec; Quebec. The participants produced 90 short films and · 4 elsewhere in Canada; 79 soundtracks, including 68 films and47 soundtracks · 1 in , with Mapuche communities; produced in Quebec. · 2 workshops in Palestine and 1 in Jordan, an initiative For its stopovers, Wapikoni hired: carried out in partnership with Oxfam Quebec. ▶ ▶ 37 filmmaker-mentors; In Quebec: ▶ 17 youth outreach workers; The Wapikoni team organized a very successful community · 12 Indigenous communities: , Manawan, ▶ 17 local coordinators; engagement session. The event began with a panel Nutashkuan, Ekuanitshit, , Kitiganik, Kitcisakik, ▶ 10 Indigenous assistant trainers. discussion on digital media and technologies, featuring Lac-Simon, Kitigan Zibi, Opitciwan, Chisasibi, Kuujjuaq; Odile Joannette, Innu artist Natasha Kanapé Fontaine, · 10 regions: Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Wapikoni and Yo-Yo Ma: an unforgettable AbTeC duo Jason Lewis and Skawennati, and lawyer Karina Gaspésie, Mauricie, Lanaudière, Outaouais, Baie-James, collaboration! Kesserwan. The evening closed with a performance by in Nunavik, in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, ; singer Émile Proulx-Cloutier and poet Natasha Kanapé As part of the Montreal Bach Festival, Wapikoni was invited · 6 Nations: Atikamekw, Anishnabe, Crie, Mi’gmaq, Fontaine accompanied by artist Yo-Yo Ma. Innue, Inuit. by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma to participate in a digital culture event at the White Wall Studio in Montreal.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 11 Wapikoni continues its international activities!

IN JORDAN AND PALESTINE As part of a pilot project, and with the support of Oxfam, Wapikoni conducted workshops in Palestine and Jordan with partner organizations. These workshops aimed to share the “Learning by Creating” methodology developed by Manon Barbeau.

From September 2018 to March 2019, the filmmaker-mentor Guillaume Colin travelled to the West Bank to participate in the adaptation and implementation of a methodology to strengthen the social and technical skills of young people through audiovisual production. He was also on site to support the design of training material on aspects of audiovisual production and to develop training around digital storytelling, as well as to accompany the participants.

Two workshops were also organized in collaboration with Taghyeer for Social Media, a Palestinian organization that works with marginalized communities. Through the creation of films, these workshops aimed to offer Bedouin communities in the West Bank a medium for self-expression and a vector of identity pride. Seven short films were produced in Arabic and presented to members of the communities of Jabal al-Baba and Sateh al-Bahar. Two other workshops were offered in Jordan, as part of the TABIR project in Kufranjha, in collaboration with I-Dare for Sustainable Development, a Jordanian organization implementing positive, creative and innovative initiatives with youth. Participants created eight short films that were screened in the community.

12 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 IN CHILE WHAT INDIGENOUS CINEMA? The Power of the Lens research project developed by researchers Thora Hermann and THREE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN SPEAK OUT! Iphigénie Marcoux-Fortier in collaboration with Wapikoni takes place in six Indigenous Presented by the International Network of Aboriginal Audiovisual Creation (INAAC), communities, three of which are international. This initiative has given rise to several this panel was organized as part of the Montreal First People’s Festival in August 2018. exchanges between nations and aims to document the methodologies of audiovisual The event brought together three generations of Indigenous women to reflect on the creation specific to each culture, in addition to highlighting cultural practices. motivations and challenges facing Indigenous women filmmakers.

A ninth creative workshop in Chile was implemented in January 2019 as part of The panellists were: this project. Produced in collaboration with the Mapuche School of Cinema and ▶ Jeannette Paillan, documentary filmmaker and director of FICWALLMAPU—Chile; Communication (ECCM), the workshop brought together seven participants, along ▶ Kim O’Bomsawin, documentary filmmaker — Canada; with several members of their families and communities, who collectively directed ▶ Jemmy Echaquan Dubé, filmmaker editor — Canada; the short film Kvpalme (The Origin). ▶ Karine Bertrand, Assistant Professor of Film at Queen’s University; ▶ Moderator: Claire Gray, Queen’s University. The feature film The Circle of Nations 2: Women, created from the short films made by the partner members of the INAAC, was presented at the closing of the festival on August 15, 2018.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 13 Learning & Growth

Wapikoni offers spaces for development and accompanies Indigenous talent throughout their artistic and professional careers.

Workshop at Concordia University For the third consecutive year, Wapikoni offered a workshop in collaboration with Concordia University from July 7 to 13, 2018. This specialized training allowed two participants (Maïlys Flamand and Mélina Quitich-Niquay) to develop new skills by each creating an experimental short film on the theme: Sound, Time and Space.

Wapikoni participates once again in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues! A delegation from Wapikoni, composed of Melissa Mollen Dupuis, Virginie Michel, Odile Joannette, David Chouinard, Mélanie Lumsden, Shanice Mollen Picard, Uapukun Mestokosho McKenzie, Jemmy Echaquan Dubé and Naomie Moar Niquay, visited the United Nations Permanent Forum in New York from April 16-20, 2018. This 17th session allowed Wapikoni participants to understand the issues discussed and to exchange with different

14 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Indigenous groups on their claims. Wapikoni organized a Mashteuiatsh. The 17-minute film, Natshishkatuat Auassat: side event with the thematic, film as a transformative tool Les jeunes se rencontrent, was directed by Jani Bellefleur for Indigenous youth, in partnership with UNAIC/Plural+. It Kaltush and the film’s broadcast rights are shared between was an opportunity to screen a selection of films and to lead the four participating communities and Wapikoni. a discussion with participants. World premiere of an Inuk short film Annual training of Wapikoni field teams at Sundance! On April 30 and May 1, 2018, filmmakers-mentors and Young Inuit filmmakers Eva Kaukai and Manon Chamberland youth outreach workers benefited from the annual Wapikoni presented their magnificent film Katatjatuuk Kangirsumi training, which aims to prepare them for the experience (Songs of the Throat in Kangirsuk) at the prestigious that awaits them. The members of the field teams were Sundance Film Festival. They were accompanied by introduced to the various aspects of community work and Émilie Baillargeon and Mariana De Melo from Wapikoni the Wapikoni approach. mobile and enjoyed a unique immersive experience. The filmmaker Patricia Chica, who was the press relations Several themes were addressed during these two days officer for this project, gave the film impressive media of training, including the socio-political reality of the First coverage. The short film was shown four times to sold-out Nations, intercultural communication, creative stopovers theatres in Park City and Salt Lake City. and effective methods to motivate participants.

Audiovisual production and awareness-raising works Advanced participants and experienced filmmakers were paired to produce six professional videos during the year.

As part of the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Wapikoni’s audiovisual production services produced a documentary filmed in the Uapishka Territory (North Shore) with a group of young Innu from Pessamit, Uashat, and

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 15 Transmission & Sharing

Wapikoni continues its work as an influencer and continues to play a ▶ Numerous screenings were made in several museums including role in representing the next generation of Indigenous people. The the Musée de Lachine, the Armand-Frappier Museum, the Shaputuan organization’s expertise is highly sought after on various themes and Museum, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the Smithsonian National issues of importance to First Nations and Inuit. Wapikoni participates Museum of the American Indian and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, in consultations and issue tables of various government authorities, ▶ Wapikoni’s films have been presented in over a hundred renowned organizations and decision makers from various backgrounds. Topics local and international festivals such as Sundance, the Clermont include, for example, the development of policies and programs on Ferrand short film festival and Regard au Saguenay, suicide and crime prevention, school perseverance and success, ▶ 84 international events, measures to promote social inclusion, action plans against racism, youth Wapikoni has participated in action strategies, Indigenous arts and cultures, promotion of intangible ▶ The Annual Launch of Wapikoni in Montreal took place at the heritage, digital literacy and initiatives to strengthen the presence of Imperial Cinema as part of the Festival du nouveau cinéma. More than Francophone and Indigenous cultural content on the Web. 500 people attended, including many distinguished guests, in the presence of partners and 15 emerging filmmakers. The event began Several activities were organized during the year in order to transmit with dance, a throat singing performance and an Indigenous prayer by experience, expertise and the magnificent collection of works to different Sheryl McDonald, Elder of the Kanien’kehá: ka (Mohawk) Nation., audiences, but also to encourage dialogue: ▶ A special screening of the annual launch’s program took place ▶ 19 stopover screenings reaching 1,765 members of Indigenous in Uashat (Sept-Îles), at the Shaputuan Museum, dedicated to the communities, dissemination of Innu culture. ▶ 281 outreach activities, including 142 in Quebec as part of public events, symposiums and festivals that reached several thousand people locally and abroad. 393 films were presented as part of these activities,

16 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Wapikoni at the G7 Summit! From June 6-10, 2018, twelve Wapikoni shorts were presented at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix. This initiative was made possible thanks to the support of Global Affairs Canada. The films were screened at the International Media Centre of the Salon des Congrès de Québec to allow hundreds of journalists from the international press to learn about Indigenous issues in Quebec and Canada and thus listen to the voices and aspirations of young leaders.

Wapikoni: Cinema on Wheels The caravan made its second tour in two years, travelling across Eastern Canada to present a selection of short films from the Wapikoni collection. ▶ 2 Inuit projectionists: Geronimo Inutiq and Jocelyn Piirainen ▶ 6,750 km travelled ▶ 82 days ▶ 26 Indigenous communities and 17 towns and villages visited ▶ 50 screenings ▶ 749 people reached

Vélo Paradiso: back for a second season! Wapikoni was at the second edition of this project of cultural mediation, meetings and projections in parks and public spaces of the city of Montreal. From June 15 to September 15, 2018: ▶ Three projector bikes criss-crossed seven Montreal boroughs to broadcast selections of Wapikoni short films on freestanding screens; ▶ 120 screenings presented 43 films, reaching a total of3,616 people.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 17 Mediation and Indigenous cultural awareness workshops Wapikoni organized 67 workshops to discover and raise awareness of Indigenous cultures in 2018–2019, including 57 in different regions of Quebec. This cultural mediation project reached 2,142 people, including many high schools, CEGEP and university students, as well as adult francization classes and employees of public institutions. These workshops, lasting 60 to 120 minutes, allow participants to discover and appreciate the cultures of the First Peoples of Quebec and Canada. Through the presentation of a selection of film works, the workshops seek to engage in a constructive dialogue between Indigenous facilitators and participants in a perspective of intercultural rapprochement.

On March 26 and 28, 2019, 3 awareness workshops were given at Gamache Elementary School in Sept-Îles, for 74 students as part of the Côte-Nord Public Safety project. During these workshops cohosted by Mélanie Brière and Donavan Vollant, a few Innu students shared their experience and culture. Donavan also talked about his experience with Wapikoni after the screening of his animated short film, Le roi des oiseaux (The King of the Birds). Discussions with the youth touched on topics such as stereotyping, cultural diversity, inclusion and respect.

Wapikoni Teaching Guide: Introduction to the Diversity of Indigenous Cultures in Canada An agreement to create a teaching guide was reached in collaboration with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO). This guide aims to encourage secondary school teachers to discuss current issues with their students and to discover the diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada through a selection of 12 short films, chosen specifically for the topics and issues addressed.

This teaching guide also serves as a tool for teachers and professionals in the UNESCO Associated Schools network, and as a reference for students to discover a diversity of Indigenous perspectives and points of view rooted in modernity.

18 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Communications Financial Statements in numbers

Unique visitors to the Viewings on Vimeo DONATIONS: 2% wapikoni.ca website: more than DIFFUSION: 4% OTHER: 1% AUDIOVISUAL 64,929 173,000 SERVICES: 8% including 32,000 visitors NON- FEDERAL: 35% from Montreal GOVERNMENTAL: 11%

17,705 4,030 Facebook followers Twitter followers MUNICIPAL: 3%

1,475 Instagram followers 137 Articles in print media PROVINCIAL : 36%

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 19 PARTNERS

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ▶ Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada—Family NON-GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS ▶ Bell Media · Tangible Benefits Program— Violence Prevention Program (FVPP)—Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples ▶ People’s Choice Award presented to two filmmakers at the Annual Wapikoni Launch Canadian Heritage—Youth Take Charge ▶ Health Canada—National Aboriginal Youth ▶ Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) · Teaching guide ▶ Concordia Suicide Prevention Strategy (NAYSPS) ▶ Canada Council for the Arts—Arts Abroad — Documentary Centre · Multimedia Development Workshop ▶ Caisse d’économie Circulation and Touring ▶ Embassy of Chile in Canada solidaire Desjardins · Vélo Paradiso ▶ Comité d’investissement communautaire de Telus à Montréal · Vélo Paradiso ▶ Social Sciences and Humanities Research ▶ PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) Council of Canada (SSHRC) ▶ La Fabrique Culturelle de Télé-Québec · Involvement · Call for Projects for Young Audiences —Cultural Mediation Workshops— Mission award presented at the Annual Wapikoni Launch ▶ Fondation du Grand Montréal · ▶ Support Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ) · Travel assistance Community Initiatives Program 2018 ▶ Fondation J. Armand Bombardier ▶ Fondation ▶ for filmmakers Ministère de la Culture et des Communications (MCC) · Partnership J.W. McConnell ▶ Fondation Je veux jouer / Aetios Productions · Workshop for initiatives —Plan d’action du territoire du Plan Nord (PAPN 2015-2020) — Call for Syrian refugees in Gaziantep ▶ RBA Foundation (Régime des Bénéfices Autochtones) ▶ proposals — Québec-Chile Cooperation Ministère de la Santé et des Services OXFAM-Québec ▶ Québecor · Production of the DVD box set First Nations Cinema ▶ sociaux (MSSS) · Contest 3, 2, 1… Pursue Your Passion Ministère de l’Éducation Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame · Workshop in Chile ▶ Religious ▶ et de l’Enseignement supérieur Secrétariat à la jeunesse du Québec · Youth hospitallers of St. Joseph · Workshop in Chile ▶ Téléfilm Canada · Canadian Talent Action Strategy 2016-2019—Special project—creative workshops in two and Inuit Development Program communities ▶ Secrétariat aux affaires autochtones· Indigenous Opportunities Fund III ▶ Sécurité publique Québec · Programme de Prévention Jeunesse 2016-2019 DONORS ▶ Wapikoni receives donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. These donations are greatly appreciated and help finance certain activities ▶ REGIONAL AND MUNICIPAL PARTNERS Conseil des arts de Montréal (CAM) · with Indigenous youth in line with the organization’s mission. These donations also allow Operating support — Finalist for the Grand Prize of the Conseil des arts de Montréal — us to organize creative workshops in Indigenous communities in Quebec and abroad. ▶ e Bourse Québécor Société des célébrations du 375 anniversaire de Montréal · In memory of Louise Barry who bequeathed $10,000 to Wapikoni. Vélo Paradiso Project

20 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 FINAL WORD

Manon Barbeau President and Co-Founder

The journey of Wapikoni is one that is close to my heart. The last 15 years have been a time of growth, togetherness, and bridge- building. As the co-founder of the organization, I am deeply touched by magnitude of the impacts Indigenous youth have in their communities, regions, and even abroad. Their voices and works truly reflect the original vision of Wapikoni and more. It is in full confidence that I pass the torch to Wapikoni’s first Indigenous Executive Director, but assure you of my continued dedicated support, as I continue to encourage the artistic excellence that has made the organization what is today.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 21 Mikwetc, Nia:wen, Wóliwón, Mik8etc, Migwetc, Tshinashkumitin, Wela’lin, Wliwni, Tiawenhk, Nakurmik, Chiniskumitin, Thank you.

22 WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Mikwetc, Nia:wen, Wóliwón, Mik8etc, Migwetc, Tshinashkumitin, Wela’lin, Wliwni, Tiawenhk, Nakurmik, Chiniskumitin, Thank you.

WAPIKONI – ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 23 400 ATLANTIC AVENUE, OFFICE 101 MONTREAL, QUEBEC, H2V 1A5 (514) 276-9274 / [email protected] WWW.WAPIKONI.CA