The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is pleased to announce a new three-year partnership with Stantec as a supporting sponsor of NSI New Northern Voices, in association with University College of the North (UCN).

NSI New Northern Voices is a full-time, four-week pilot program in The Pas, Manitoba introducing students to media-based storytelling. Through the course, students get unprecedented access to film, TV and digital media experts, develop their storytelling skills and make a short film.

“Stantec’s commitment to community development in northern Manitoba and throughout Canada aligns with the National Screen Institute’s work delivering high-quality training across the country and empowering regional content creators to share their stories,” said Denise Pothier, Stantec’s Vice President of Indigenous Relations and Practice Services. “We’re proud to support NSI in bringing New Northern Voices to the region.”

“There are many barriers to media arts training for northern storytellers, including accessibility and cost,” said Joy Loewen, NSI acting executive director. “Stantec’s belief in supporting creative industry initiatives in Canada goes a long way to making sure programs like NSI New Northern Voices exist.”

NSI New Northern Voices, currently underway at UCN’s campus in The Pas, delivers a well-rounded understanding of storytelling and media production skills, creating an environment for long-term growth and building capacity for the region’s screen industry. The program aims to develop content creators to write, direct and produce stories from a northern Manitoba perspective. The program runs until October 18.

During the course students receive guidance and mentoring from award-winning content creators Jordan Wheeler (Arctic Air, North of 60), Shane Belcourt (Indictment: The Crimes of Shelly Chartier, Urban Native Girl), Kim Wheeler (ReVision Quest, Indian Summer, CBC’s Unreserved), Erica Daniels (Run as One: The Journey of the Front Runners) and Charlene Moore (When the Children Left, Moccasin Stories).

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NSI New Northern Voices is funded by Presenting Sponsor University College of the North (UCN); Indigenous Training Programs Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Strategic Sponsor Telefilm Canada; Supporting Sponsors Stantec, RBC Emerging Artists Project, Corus Entertainment, Super Channel, CBC Gem; Provincial Sponsor Manitoba Film & Music; Industry Partner Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Industry Supporters Native Communications Inc. and Final Draft; NSI Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture & Heritage and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

About Stantec

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind. We care about the communities we serve – because they’re our communities too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise, to appreciate nuances and envision what’s never been considered, to bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a shared success. We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.