Marvin ended up getting coerced by his family to do a (beautiful) piece specifically about his grandfather, Chris Skulsh. Marvin’s piece was a feast for the eyes with tons of beautiful archival images and little animated surprises along the way.

Sharon Ness was our other returnee, who is also a staff member at GWES. So we hope that she will continue to build on as well as pass on some of her skills to the youth. Her piece was fantastical again, (similar to her last film, “A Part of Life”) however this time she green screened her young nephews to create a world.

Nishan Blackwater also did a biographical piece, however hers is almost fully in video (with some wonderful archival photos as well). It is a piece about her father Bill Blackwater (a hereditary chief, former boxer, activist and actor!)

Alex Sterling Harris helped to film Nishan’s piece, however with his own film, he created a poetic stop-motion animation honoring the smudge ceremony. His father is fluent in the Gitksan language and was able to narrate the piece for Alex.

Gordon Robinson did a personal piece that he narrated in Gitksan that deals with alcoholism that runs in the community, and his desire to ‘break the cycle’. He manages to bring humor to a difficult subject in this short film.

Jezabel Turley also did a deeply personal piece about kicking habits as well – she is a soon-to-be mom for the first time, and wants to give her child a different life. She quickly learned how to master photoshop and created a very brave and honest film.

Jaye Turley decided to do a short piece inspired by his grandfather about living off the land. As a young father himself, he values traditions and practices that he would like to pass on to the next generation. Jaye also narrated his piece in the Gitksan language.

Stacey decided to create a beautiful little film about being a single mother of two. Through digital storytelling techniques she tells a very inspiring story of strength and love.

The screening was held at an old theatre in Old Hazelton (the Tri Town Theatre) on a Sunday afternoon and we had a wonderfully engaged audience. After the screening, we had a Q & A session, and there were several community members that expressed that they were very touched by the films, and that they thought the youth should be very proud of their accomplishments (we agree with this!)