ISSofBC today formally launched Welcome to our Homelands video in celebration of National Indigenous Day.
This engaging seven-minute video, accompanied by a study guide, targets newcomers and provides them with a jumping off point for learning more about the First Peoples of Canada. It highlights the richly-diverse cultures and pain-filled history of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and also features Indigenous representatives from across the country extending welcoming messages to newcomers.
“Given recent events that have increased awareness about racism in Canada, particularly, racism targeting historically-misrepresented groups like Indigenous Peoples, we believe a video like this contributes towards the process of reconciliation,” says ISSofBC CEO Patricia Woroch.
“We have a long way to go in really telling the truth about how Canada was made so this was my own small contribution to try to condense so many things into a short film and to hopefully inspire ongoing dialogue to really try to build understanding,” says filmmaker Kamala Todd, Director of Indigenous City Media.
Study guide author Kory Wilson adds, “In these times of uncertainty and increasing racism, it is more important than ever that we all take the time to dispel myths and to learn about each other…together we are stronger and all voices are heard.”
This educational video produced by ISSofBC with funding support from Vancity Credit Union is one of several initiatives ISSofBC has been involved in over the past decade to build relations between newcomers and Indigenous Peoples.
