CBC New Indigenous Voices: 20th anniversary celebration

Overhead crowd shot of attendees at the CBC New Indigenous Voices 20th anniversary celebration at Winnipeg's West End Cultural Centre.
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NSI

October 3, 2024

Abiola Agbayewa with black and grey natural Afro hair, wearing gold hoop earrings against a blurred background.

Abiola Agbayewa

Programs Outreach Manager

Photo credit: Home Street Productions

On September 10, alumni, staff, faculty past and present, partners and friends gathered at Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre in celebration of the 20th anniversary of CBC New Indigenous Voices.

For two decades, CBC New Indigenous Voices, presented by the National Screen Institute, has been a vital training ground for Indigenous creators eager to make their mark in film, TV and digital media.

This full-time, 14-week program has guided 180 participants through the essential skills needed to succeed in the industry, blending traditional teachings with practical, hands-on experience.

The program’s focus on real-world training, including workshops, production and industry internships, has led to tangible results for alumni: their films have reached global audiences, won major awards and they’ve stepped into roles as industry leaders and mentors for new generations of creators.

As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the meaningful contributions these storytellers have made, thanks to a program that prioritizes learning, growth and creative expression.

The 20th anniversary event kicked off with a prayer from Elder and Knowledge Keeper Colin Mousseau and opening remarks from National Screen Institute executive director Christine Kleckner.

The evening’s emcee, Melanie Nepinak Hadley (National Screen Institute board member and program alum), kept the crowd on the edge of their seats with well-timed humour and effortless charm.

We were all treated to a walk down memory lane by program creator Lisa Meeches and co-creator Vanessa Loewen (co-creator Melissa Kajpust was unable to attend but her presence was felt), program advisor and program alum Erica Daniels and senior programs manager Ursula Lawson. Program manager Sarah Simpson-Yellowquill provided closing remarks.

We also heard from some of the program’s sponsors without whom this program would not be possible. Speakers included the Honorable Glen Simard, Manitoba Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism; Melanie Verhaeghe, managing editor at CBC Manitoba; Marileen Bartlett, co-executive director of the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD) and Julie Roy, executive director and CEO of Telefilm Canada.

Several alumni were spotlighted in a video sharing what the program has meant to them accompanied by a showcase of student film clips from the program’s 20 years. The stories and highlights underscored the transformative nature of the program and the remarkable talent and dedication that every group of participants brings year after year.

While meeting, mingling and reminiscing, guests ate delicious food from local vendors Sharecuterie and Shelly’s Bistro and enjoyed music by Morgan Grace Music and Lisa Muswagon.

It was a beautiful way to reflect on 20 years of this groundbreaking program and look ahead at more to come.

We extend heartfelt thanks to those who have left an indelible footprint on the program over the years. Thank you to all of the CBC New Indigenous Voices alumni and faculty who have made this program the success that it is!

Among this amazing broad group of creators, the program faculty in attendance at the event included:

Alumni in attendance included:

If we missed you, please let us know!

This program would not be possible without the keen interest and generosity of our sponsors over the years.

Thank you to the anniversary event sponsors Assiniboine Credit Union and Imprints & More.

CBC New Indigenous Voices 2024 was funded by Title, Presenting and Tuition Sponsor CBC; Program Partners Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD), Telefilm Canada; Director / Production Sponsor Directors Guild of Canada (DGC); Provincial Sponsors Manitoba Film & Music, Creative BC through the Daryl Duke & William Vince Scholarship Fund; Industry Partners IATSE Local 856, Eagle Vision, Final Draft, Coverfly; Industry Supporter On Screen Manitoba; Service Sponsors Sunbelt Rentals Film & TV, Line 21 Media Services, iSplice Films, Shelly’s Bistro. National Screen Institute Core Funders are Manitoba Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism and the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council.

Past program supporters include:

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