Now Available: Ispayin! Metis Youth Expressions DVD

The Métis Centre of the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) has identified
youth well-being as a priority, based on proceedings from our Nakoda Lodge Think
Tank in 2007 and our Métis Child and Youth Health Think Tank in 2010.
ISPAYIN — Métis Youth Express Yourself! is an extensive project, led by the Métis Centre
of NAHO, to build awareness about Métis youth identity, health and well-being. What
you are reading now is part of the ISPAYIN interactive package — a DVD compilation of
youth recordings and submissions with associated narratives, and this accompanying
Discussion Guide. This interactive package showcases Métis pride and can be used as
a cultural competency tool within mainstream and Aboriginal organizations, in
communities and schools across Canada, and elsewhere.
The ISPAYIN project sought out artistic submissions and sponsored regional gatherings
of Métis youth across Canada in the summer of 2009. Youth were recorded singing,
speaking, fiddling, jigging, rapping, and dancing at these events. They were also
encouraged to submit videos or hard copies of artwork, music, stand-up comedy,
poetry or other forms of artistic expression. The DVD is built around these expressions
of Métis youth identity in a contemporary context. The images are paired with
intergenerational narratives, representing a collective Métis past, present, and future.
The ISPAYIN project also aims to engage Métis youth. Select youth from various
regions in Canada attended a two-day symposium in July 2009. They discussed
effective methods for youth engagement around identity, culture, health and wellbeing
using social media tools, and explored basic videography. A second symposium
was held in March 2010 to train Métis youth as facilitators, encouraging them to take
an active role in delivering workshops on identity, health and cultural competency
using this interactive package. Through this project we hope to empower youth to
engage and work with others to develop Métis-specific cultural competency.
The Métis Centre is also developing a youth website to offer information about
health, well-being and culture, and a space for youth to blog, network, and engage
each other.

Find out more >>