Reimagining Attawapiskat: Indigenous youth voices, community engagement and mixed-media storytelling. Issue 2 (1st July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiebe, Sarah Marie; Gilpin, Erynne M.; Butet-Roch, Laurence
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental media. Volume 1:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 166
• Publication Date: 2020-07-01
• Subjects: Digital media -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Digital media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 302.231
• DOI: 10.1386/jem_00013_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-2463

Abstract

Widely circulating textual and visual discourses that represent communities shape public perception and awareness. This article discusses a research collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers and artists to reflect on co-creating the Reimagining Attawapiskat project with youth artists. Attawapiskat is an Indigenous community that became the focus of widespread media attention following several State of Emergency declarations due to factors ranging from inhabitable housing conditions to escalating suicide attempts. Informed by Indigenous storytelling research methods and arts-based community-engaged research, the mixed-media storytelling approach advanced here aims to challenge and interrupt mainstream media narratives that frame Attawapiskat as a troubled community constantly in crisis. This collaboration contends with the shadows of Canada's settler-colonial context through community stories that counter hegemonic portrayals. Reimagining Attawapiskat sheds light on the nuances of community health in Attawapiskat through a collection of youth voices and place-based digital stories that centre Cree life, well-being and culture.