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CHI MIIGWETCH: AN UPDATE FROM THE GRASSY NARROWS YOUTH ORGANIZATION.

From April 10-21 the Grassy Narrows Youth Organization held the Miigwan Camp at the Trappers’ Council Building in Grassy Narrows First Nation. The purpose of the camp was to provide skill sharing and programing for the youth, to involve Grassy Narrows teenagers in the #Justice4Azraya campaign, and to write, record, and self-produce a follow up music video to the viral hit Home to Me, recorded by N’we Jinan last year.

We are considering the camp a success. There were some problems, but the most important part—supporting and empowering Grassy Narrows youth—proved a win beyond our humble expectations. That would not have been possible without your support. Thank you very much, chi miigwetch.

The new song, still yet to be titled, has been recorded and is currently in studio being mixed by professional music producers and DJs in Toronto who, as long-time allies of Grassy Narrows’ ongoing efforts to protect land and waters, have graciously donated their time, skills and artistry to this project.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseeable circumstances stemming from the day-to-day struggles of Youth in Grassy Narrows, we were unable to finish filming the video for the song. We are however, entirely committed to completing that portion of the project, and will continue fundraising and organizing until the video is up online to share, and to continue amplifying the voices of Anishinaabe youth through the Grassy Narrows Youth Media Project.

We are currently planning a summer camp that will include completion of the music video.

While the music video project is only half complete, our ability to integrate that project into the broader youth empowerment work of amplifying youth voices and organizing through the #Justcie4Azraya campaign (as with other projects) was a huge success, as was the vigil itself on the one year anniversary of her death.

Unexpectedly, Azraya’s twin brother was one of the lead writers and rappers on the new song, and for the first time ever spoke in public about his sister’s death, at a press conference before the vigil, and we are thrilled to be supporting him through his families ongoing fight for Justice for Azraya, aswell as his own growth into a youth leader in the community.

One of Azraya’s cousins—who wrote the lyrics to the song’s chorus, and helped to mobilize others to participate—also gave a powerful speech to address the crowd of approximately one hundred people who gathered for the vigil, which included a march through downtown Kenora to the memorial site.

Both of these young people are quoted in the excellent write up in the local paper, http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2017/04/18/family-friends-of-azraya-ackabee-kokopenace-continue-push-for-inquest-a-year-after-her-death . There was also excellent coverage from CBC and APTN.

Unfortunately, while there is much public and even political support for the demands for an inquest into Azraya’s death, we are no closer to having that inquest announced by the Coroner: we know they are stalling, we suspect they are hiding something.

Fundraising and organizing for that campaign will continue. Within the next couple of months, we will put out a call for some kind of public action, and/or a new campaign specific fundraising initiative. Stay tuned. In the meantime, please continue to support us through our gofundme.com page, or through e-transfer to [email redacted].

Chi Miigwetch.

Alex Hundert,

Administrative Coordinator & Advocate,
Grassy Narrows Youth Organization

[email redacted]
Facebook.com/grassynarrowsyouth
Twitter: @GNYouthMedia


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PREVIOUSLY POSTED:

We want to put out another song from the Youth of Grassy Narrows.

We have passed out initial fundraising goals, but are going to keep this fundraiser active until we start our recording, and to have more resources for our planning and writing processes, which are going to be part of ten days of Youth Media + Culture workshops this April.

Grassy Narrows is an Anishinaabe First Nation in northwest Ontario. Our community is going through a lot. A recent report revealed that as much as 90% of our people may be suffering from mercury poisoning. We have also suffered through a string of youth suicides and attempts .

But Grassy Narrows Youth are also known for our strength and hope. We recently worked with N'we Jinan to record the music video Home To Me , which has given us the opportunity to have our voices heard and to reach people we otherwise wouldn't. We've had the chance to perform in front of supporters, media and politicians in Toronto and Ottawa already. They are listening to us now.

Now, the Grassy Narrows Youth Organization wants to work with N'we Jinan to record and produce a second song and video, to continue bringing hope and opportunities to the Youth of Grassy Narrows, and to help spread hope and inspiration to all youth.

This new song will also be part of the struggle to clean up the waters and build a better future for the youth and future generations of Grassy Narrows . The sooner the better.

Working on these songs means Youth spending time together, talking about how we can support each other, express ourselves, and build capacity in our community for a better future. The support you have given to this fundraiser also supports each of these immediate and long term goals by contributing directly to our next video project.

All of the support and attention we have received means a tremendous amount to us. We couldnt do it without you. Thank you--Miigwetch.