The program, sponsored by the CANCOM Ross Charles Awards, is so significant because it inspires Aboriginal artists to achieve their dreams, says instructor Carol Greyeyes. In other words, the workshop gives Aboriginal artists the means to tell their own stories. "It creates connections and networks of Aboriginal artists so that we can assist each other in our expression; and best of all, it nurtures our cultural selves and spirits as Aboriginal people," continues Greyeyes.

This screenwriter’s workshop is designed to train Aboriginal storytellers in the field of writing for a dramatic television series. To do this, the program emulates a story department in which teams of writers critique work and share ideas in "story meetings" with the instructors in the roles of writer/ producers. Writers participating in the workshop pitched several story ideas for Prophecies, a series proposed by Jordan Wheeler, the program’s director. Each writer was assigned one story to develop during this workshop. Five scripts are now at the second draft stage.

During the workshop, writers will see their work reach fruition as talented actors, producers, and directors take their scripts through to the filming and presentation stage. The selected scenes will be screened by an invited audience at the closing reception, to be held Friday, March 29 at 8 PM at The Banff Centre.

Jordan Wheeler (Cree), a writer and former senior story editor for North of 60 is program director. Instructors include Carol Geddes (Tlingit), a writer and award-winning filmmaker and Carol Greyeyes (Cree), a writer and director, former junior story editor for North of 60, and former artistic director of the Centre for Indigenous Theatre.

Sponsored by CANCOM, this unique program is a partnership between the Aboriginal Arts Program at The Banff Centre and APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network), with support from Telefilm and the National Film Board.
 

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