It has helped give me a stronger voice...

why did you come to FNTI?

I decided to attend FNTI while I was working as an Aboriginal News reporter
for (Haliburton Broadcasting Group) in Parry Sound. I did not have an
education in the biz. And I did not like the way stories on Aboriginal
people were covered in mainstream media at large. I also had a one-hour
Aboriginal program to produce weekly, and had no clue what kind of content I
should include.

how has the FNTI/media program(Indigenous Communications Journalism) experience changed you?

It has helped give me a stronger voice to tell stories from my own
community. FNTI has also been a great source of support while I have
been in different work environments, and continues to be there for me!!!

My programs improved greatly at HBG while I was attending school
with more content and in-depth stories.

Also, during my time at FNTI, I have moved around quite a bit,
wanting to experience different types of media. I've since worked
for a private radio group in Kansas, U.S.A, as well as CBC radio
in Sudbury, and have written a few freelance print stories for
Aboriginal publications. Both of those experiences have been in
mainstream media. I covered mainstream news. In Kansas, I worked
in Hiawatha, where there were about 5 Indian Reservations in the
area. I ensured there was Native American Indian news content from
those communities in my news.

Talk about where you're working...

I have since returned to the hub of HBG in Parry Sound. I have
gone full-circle so to speak. I am currently the News Director
and Operations Manager in Parry Sound. I anchor the morning news,
as well as co-host with my buddy Dave Chisholm. I am having a
GREAT time. I make sure there is local news every day, with news
from local First Nations as well. It's not like work at all. So,
in essence, I get paid to have fun. I absolutely love radio!!!!!

Would like to know what its like for a mother to go back to school
and how you made it work?

Well, I always say, where there's a will, theres a way. It wasn't
hard for me to return to school. I have two absolutely terrific
teens, Dmitri and Deidre. I also have a very supportive extended
family, who helped keep an eye on my kids while I was away at
school. I missed them a lot while I was away, especially the first
session at school, which lasted six weeks. That seemed like an
eternity to me because I have never been away from them for that
long. It has all been worth it now, with my new position. My kids
are happy that I am happy, as well as proud of me.

and the wisdom that you have recieved through the years?

Wisdom throughout the years? I don't know about that. I just do
what I LOVE. Theres no time for anything else.
(make sure to wear clean underwear everyday! wear a bra that fits!
And laugh lots everyday!!!!)

The rewards are great...

My name is Colin French and I hail from the Anishnabek Nation of the Deshkun Ziibi. (or that's Chippewa of the Thames, for those who don't know) We are located on un-surrendered territory about 25 km southwest of London,Ontario. I chose to attend FNTI because I needed to sharpen my message. I have always been a believer in educating those who don't know the History of First Nations people in North America. And when I finally chose to pursue my post secondary education I came across the Aboriginal Media Program (now called Indigenous Communications - Journalism) at FNTI. The program is designed to bolster one's knowledge of Indigenous issues affecting all Indigenous people across North America. The experience I recieved at FNTI is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The friends, the hardships, the suffering, the good times and the down right hilarious. My life has become more enriched specifically because of my experiences at FNTI. I am currently interning at Muchmusic in Toronto. The days are long but the rewards are even greater. Free movies, music and stationary equipment! lol jk The only other words of wisdom I can pass on to those who may follow the same path come from a leader who has long since passed, but I believe his words embody the struggle we all face.

"Will we let ourselves be destroyed in our turn without a struggle,
give up our homes, our country bequeathed to us by the Great Spirit,
the graves of our dead and everything that is dear and sacred to us?
I know you will cry with me, 'Never! Never!'"

Tecumseh, Shawnee war chief and uniter

Indigenous communications presents "Backwash on Ipperwash: Did the news media do its job?"

This is to let you know about the second in a series of workshops, or Open Houses, that FNTI will be hosting or co-hosting on issues in Indigenous communications.
The first workshop was held early January at the Community Centre on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. It featured a presentation by Rob Henderson, vice president of the CNW Group, on Improving Indigenous Communications internally to the community and externally to much broader audiences.
This time, as the attached news release and poster will attest, the workshop will be a panel discussion followed by questions and answers from the audience on the roles and responsibilities of the media in covering Indigenous issues before, during and after they reach the flashpoint. In this case, we will have our workshop coincide as close as possible to the public release of the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry by Ontario Justice Sidney Linden. The panelists include:
Professor John Miller of Ryerson University's School of Journalism speaking on his analysis of media coverage on the Ipperwash standoff and aftermath; Peter Edwards, a Toronto Star reporter who had covered the story from the beginning and has written a book entitled "ONE DEAD INDIAN;" and Sam George, the brother of slain activist Dudley George, a family spokesperson who pushed hard for nearly ten years to get the Ontario government to call a public inquiry into the events of that tragic confrontation with the Ontario Provincial Police.
Ryerson's School of Journalism will be co-hosting the event. It is a free Open House. All are welcome to attend and to participate.
Pre-registration is NOT necessary. But contact us if you have questions.
The time and place of the workshops are below.

Link to Poster
Link to Press Release

Tuesday, March 6, 2007
3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
School of Journalism,
Ryerson University
80 Gould St.,
Room 204

For more information contact:
Dan David
Indigenous Communications Department
First Nations Technical Institute
18002670637 ext.130

danield@fnti.net

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke is a weekly current affiars/news program that is broadcast on the Mohawk tv channel 4 and is produced by Regan Jacobs and her team at Loudspirit productions.

Learners from the Aboriginal Media Program were in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, participating in a 2nd week long internship at Mohawk TV. New faces new stories take a few min and check it out.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Wendy Sero ext 160
wendyr@fnti.net

Watch for our next Open House in March at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Mainstream Media Coverage of Ipperwash---a panel discussion including Sam George, brother of Dudley George, John Miller of Ryerson, and Toronto Star reporter Peter Edwards, author of One Dead Indian.

The discussion will be held on on March 26 @ 3:30 pm in Eaton Lecture Hall, Second Floor, Rogers Communications Centre.

The public is welcome

for more information please contact
Daniel David Email: danield@fnti.net
1-800-267-0637 ext:130

Media Program in Kahnawake

Learners from the Aboriginal Media Program were in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, participating in a week long internship at Mohawk TV.

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke is a weekly current affiars/news program that is broadcast on the Mohawk tv channel 4 and is produced by Regan Jacobs and her team at Loudspirit productions.

National News Editor visits FNTI Media Students

Paul Barnsley national news editor for the Windspeaker publications stopped by FNTI to listen to pitches made by media program learners. Learners have been working in groups on stories from northern Canada. Natural resources seemed to be the theme of the investigations.

Innoversity Summit in Toronto

Tiar Wilson, an FNTI media student who has done internships at CTV Sudbury and APTN in Winnipeg, used her skills as a video journalist to report from the recent Innoversity Summit in Toronto.

Award-winning photojournalist works with FNTI media students

Adrienne Fox-Keesic critiques photos students shoot


Sioux Lookout's Adrienne Fox-Keesic, an award-winning photojournalist and former editor of Wawatay, taught an advanced photojournalism class at in the Aboriginal Media Program at FNTI.

Students said viewing her portfolio, and hearing about her experience as a shooter, were highlights of the third-year class. "She encouraged us," one said.

Fox-Keesic, a graduate of Loyalist College's well known photojournalism program,asked the students to do a week long photo diary of their lives before the class. While she was at FNTI she assigned them to shoot both active and passive photos. Each phioto was to showcase one or two elements from a list of design principles.

Before shooting, the students completed a News U on-line course (News U, from the Poynter Institute, can be found at www.newsu.org) called the Language of the Image.

After shooting, the students, under Fox-Keesic's leadership, viewed and critiqued each other's work. On this page you'll see some of the students' work, and read some of Fox-Keesic's comments.

Nine students expect to graduate from the FNTI media program in June. The program, in partnership with Humber institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, stresses hands-on media industry placements alternating with in-class sessions. Learners come from all over Turtle island.

Nice attempt using reflection in image composition said Fox-Keesic of Colin French's photo of working man.

Jennifer Ashawasegai shot this at Garden River First Nation as part of her diary assignment.

She impressed me with her strong personal vision said Fox-Keesic of this silouhette shot by Christina George.

Well composed said Fox-Keesic about Wendy Sero's photo of students about to race at Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Victoria Lathlin has a nice comedic touch says Fox-Keesic.

Tiar Wilson shot Bruce Spence, senior producer of APTN National News, as part of her diary assignment. Fox-Keesic was impressed by her "great sense of timing."

Fox-Keesic said "his photos are solid" of Brent Wesley's signs of fall shots.

She shot a beautiful composed photo of a gentlemen by a fire said Fox-Keesic of Marlene Girouard.