Indigenous Roots of Storytelling - Group 12

Inspiration:

Indigenous youth in Ottawa are significantly overrepresented in homelessness, with barriers including mental health issues, discrimination, and a lack of support. We wanted to create a project by and for Indigenous youth that used storytelling, culture, and art to foster confidence, connection, and representation. Our inspiration originated from real-life experiences shared during our research and brainstorming sessions.

What it does:

Indigenous Roots of Storytelling is a youth-led theatre and media program that allows Indigenous youth aged 13 to 24 to act, write, film, and produce performances based on true Indigenous stories. Youth collaborate with elders and knowledge keepers to create films, skits, and live shows that reinforce cultural identity, develop media skills, and educate the larger community. The program helps youth by providing paid opportunities, cultural connections, and accessible pathways to stability.

How we built it:

• Designed roles for story holders and youth creators.

• Created an age-based content streams supporting identity and lived experience.

• Created a 12–16-month implementation timeline (partners → recruitment → workshops → production → evaluation)

• Integrated accessibility supports like transportation, meals, and trauma-informed staff.

• Established a sustainability model through grants, partnerships, and future performance and streaming revenue.

Challenges we ran into:

One significant challenge was developing a program that is culturally safe and PTSD-trauma informed while dealing with sensitive subjects. Balancing the needs of different youth age groups, ensuring accessibility, and securing long-term funding all required careful planning.

What's next for Indigenous Roots of Storytelling – Group 12:

Our next steps involve launching the pilot workshops, starting production with youth participants, and collaborating with schools, universities, and community organizations on performances. We intend to further develop our online content and program to reach further Indigenous youth in multiple regions.