COMMUNITY STORYTELLING
Storytelling can be a force for change. Any person’s story can change the way we think — and in changing the way people think, it will incite change in our world.
This power of community storytelling lies not only in the stories created – but also in the process of their creation. Through the journey of creation people & their immediate community can also be changed.
Our World Language, started in 2006 by the National Film Board of Canada, was initially inspired by two international storytelling initiatives: Capture Wales & Centre for Digital Storytelling (now called Story Centre).
The links below are initiatives connected to Our World in some way.
Please enjoy these real stories from around the world.
Capture Wales - Wales, United Kingdom
All over Wales, people are making Digital Stories about real-life experiences and each story is as individual as the person who made it. Each Digital Story is made by the storyteller themself, using his or her own photos, words and voice.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/audiovideo/sites/galleries/pages/capturewales.shtml
Story Center - Berkeley, California
Recognizing that lay practitioners could make enormous creative contributions, pioneering artists wanted to make art accessible to all, especially those traditionally left behind. The work of these artists and a broad range of collaborators gave voice to powerful stories of harm, healing, and hope in the midst of social and political conflict.
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AHA Media - Vancouver BC, Canada
AHA media started out as citizen journalists and social media consultants helping give a voice to their local downtown eastside community. Today, they provide services for individuals and organizations to share their news and special events through social media.
https://ahamedia.ca/
AMES - Vancouver Island BC, Canada
AMES uplifts emerging creative change-makers through accessible and inclusive programs that provide unique opportunities for young people to make and share meaningful media.
Arts Bridge Institute - Swampscott MA, USA
For generations, Israeli and Palestinian youth have witnessed and suffered trauma. Though many have never met their Palestinian or Israeli counterpart, they have come to see each other as the “enemy” in an ongoing conflict. Artsbridge brings these youth together in a unique model that uses a combination of reflective dialogue, artistic expression, and expressive therapy to engage and empower youth through artmaking and filmmaking.
https://www.artsbridgeinstitute.org/
Black Dot Roots & Culture Collective - Vancouver BC, Canada
Black Dot Roots and Culture Collective is an organization of indigenous peoples of African descent educating young people and adults, creating original forms of artistic expression and celebrating our heritage at home and abroad.
https://www.facebook.com/blackdotcollective/
Cancer's Margins - Vancouver BC, Canada
The Cancer’s Margins research team uses a community-and-arts based approach to exploring sexual and gender diversity, and experiences of cancer health, support and care. LGBT2Q people locate and share knowledge after they’ve been diagnosed and treated for breast or gynecologic cancer.
Community Story Strategies - Toronto ON, Canada
Media and storytelling workshops to enhance community building - helping groups make and share personal stories that send a powerful message.
http://www.communitystorystrategies.ca
Chris Bose - Kamloops BC, Canada
Nlaka’pamux storyteller, artist,musician, author, mentor & filmmaking workshop facilitator.
https://www.youtube.com/user/paganmannn/
Digital Stories Canada - Vancouver BC, Canada
Digital Stories Canada is dedicated to the art of digital storytelling with a Canadian connection.
Hello Cool World Media - Vancouver BC, Canada
An award-winning full service creative & digital agency that works internationally in the areas of health and wellness, harm reduction and social justice.
High Muck a Muck: Playing Chinese - Vancouver BC, Canada
Interactive, online storytelling project
N’we Jinan - Montreal QC, Canada
Non-profit organization that develops, implements, and executes artistic and educational programs in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities and schools. This growing roster of programs, including a mobile recording studio, professional artist teaching residencies, and a year-end cross-country festival celebrates and showcases Indigenous voices.
Patrick Shannon - Skidegate BC, Canada
Also know as Nang Ḵ’uulas, is an Indigenous-Canadian filmmaker, social entrepreneur and activist from the remote island nation of Haida Gwaii, off the Northwest coast of Canada.
Re.Vision - Guelph ON, Canada
Investigates the power of the arts, and especially story, to open up conversations about systemic (rather than individualized) injustices in health care, education, and the arts sectors. Our driving purpose is to support and equip academics, artists, activists and storytellers from justice-seeking communities seeking to shift misrepresentations with cutting edge technological tools and methodologies.
Slum TV - Nairobi Kenya, Africa
Documenting the lives and stories of people in Mathare settlement - one of the biggest slums in Africa - by placing the tool of self-representation in the hands of the slum dwellers.