A sharing circle and traditional feast mark the beginning of a new journey today for nine Aboriginal young adults who begin training with NSI New Voices run by the National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI).
NSI New Voices is designed for young Aboriginal adults who have a desire to work in the film and television industry. Students train with professionals to develop their industry skills and then undertake a full-time, paid industry internship to put those skills into practice.
This year’s selected participants are:
- Christopher Bird – Winnipeg
- Alison Campeau – Winnipeg
- Anna–Celestrya Carr – Winnipeg
- Kayla Hayden – Winnipeg
- Justina Neepin – Winnipeg
- Percy Ponniuk – Nain, Newfoundland
- Vince Sanderson – Winnipeg
- Earl Soldier – Winnipeg
- Leonard Sumner – Winnipeg
“We’re very proud to be starting our seventh session of NSI New Voices,” said John Gill, CEO of NSI. “Graduates of the program are working in the industry as editors, actors, writers – they are involved in all facets of film and television creation. They are able to bring an Aboriginal perspective and sensitivity to their stories on both big and small screens.”
Graduates of this program found work with companies including Buffalo Gal Pictures, Eagle Vision, Frantic Films, the Winnipeg Film Group, Film Training Manitoba, and the Banff Centre. They have worked on numerous film and television productions and developed their own projects.
NSI New Voices faculty are program co-managers Ursula Lawson and Sam Vint, and program coordinator Trinity Bruce. Ursula is manager of program support at the National Screen Institute and has co-managed NSI New Voices for three years. She also coordinates NSI Global Marketing and other NSI Aboriginal training initiatives. Sam is a life-long Winnipegger, a proud Metis and a graduate of the NSI New Voices program. He has worked in various departments in the film and television industry including production, development, camera, and post-production. Trinity is also a graduate of NSI New Voices and has worked as a crew member in the camera department on Tipi Tales, The Sharing Circle, Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and the 2010 Winter Games for APTN.
NSI New Voices is funded by Presenting Sponsor: Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism; Program Partners: Telefilm Canada, NBCUniversal, the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development (CAHRD); Strategic Sponsors: Rogers, Women in Media Foundation; Supporting Sponsors: Manitoba Lotteries, The Suzanne Rochon-Burnett Fund, City of Winnipeg; Provincial Sponsor: MANITOBA FILM & MUSIC.
Media inquiries
Glynis Corkal, Manager, Marketing & Communications: (204) 957-2995
About the National Screen Institute – Canada:
The National Screen Institute – Canada (NSI) is a non-profit organization with headquarters in Winnipeg. We are Canada’s national film, television and digital media training school for writers, directors and producers. Training is anchored in the philosophy that the best way to learn is by doing.
Contact us or see a map of where we’re located
Our market-driven training programs have led to employment and successful careers for graduates by giving them a competitive edge. According to the 2008 NSI alumni survey, 96% of respondents are working in the film and TV industry.
- Training programs are led by experts in film, television and digital media – they deliver workshops and seminars and mentor participants.
- Participants do not pay tuition fees or relocate.
- Training is intensive. Participants train in one centre for a short period and then return home to work with local mentors on their projects under the leadership of the program manager.
Find out about all the training programs provided by the National Screen Institute.
After more than 24 years of training and with over 620 alumni, NSI continues to develop and deliver training to meet the industry’s needs. We produce works that:
- appeal to Canadians
- help advance careers that will grow the Canadian industry and contribute to the regional and national economies stimulating employment for the long term.
NSI leads in the design and delivery of programs that provide training to Canada’s visible minority and Aboriginal screen professionals.
NSI also commits to showcasing Canadian short films and providing professional development resources online.
Visit the NSI site here.
