Approximately 120 youth ages 10 -18 attended a Media and Arts summit where they had the opportunity to learn about theatre production, podcasting, filmmaking, public relations, graphic design and music.
Sarah Tailfeathers, a participant in the summit, has learned a lot of the ins and outs regarding media, she didn’t know prior to attending the three-day event.
“It seemed pretty exciting to see new things and talk to other people,” Tailfeathers said.
Very shy Tailfeathers said learning public relations helped her get a better idea of what she wants to accomplish after finishing high school.
She expressed her interest in journalism and said learning how to properly write strong news articles was something she admits will help her in her everyday life.
Cowboy Smithx from Iniistsi Treaty Arts Society is a filmmaker, producer and curator for the speaker series known as Redx Talks.
Smithx and his Redx Talks team came together to provide and insight to the variety of areas that are important to Smithx’s work.
“It’s really great to see all of the different performances and workshops, sort of source form each other and work symbiotically,” Smithx says.
He adds that the goal for this youth summit is to inspire youth to peruse their dreams and eventually show the world what they have invented and created.
Learning the importance of media at the young age of 15 created a fun experience for Tailfeathers.
“A journalist from Cardston came and interviewed some of the kids and faculty. I got to see him interview and write down (answers)… it was fun,” Said Tailfeathers.
She adds being able to experience that for the first time was exciting.
Missy Fox, an employer for the Kainaiwa Children’s Services, says her goal was to bring in a unique conference that will show the youth in her community there is a variety of opportunities that will get them out of a familiar path a lot of community members follow.
“You don’t have to be the next hockey great, you can be the next journalist great,” said Fox.
Having high school students at the conference, Fox sees this as an opportunity for the youth to get introduced into a new industry that will allow them to expand their creativity in areas such as photography.
Fox expresses it has been really great seeing youth, especially shy youth engage and be willing to perform and participate in the summit.
Having the youth including Tailfeathers have a life changing experience was both Fox and Smithx goal with the summit.
Fox says from the success and feedback the summit has received, she is willing to bring back Smithx and his team for a bigger summit in the future.
