NCTR receives international awards and Canadian acknowledgements
Every Child Matters: Reconciliation through Education has won the intermedia-globe Gold Award and The Special Award “Hand in Hand” from the World Media Festival and has been nominated for the 2021 Best Children’s or Youth Non-Fiction Program or Series, and the Every Child Matters Team (Insight Productions LTD and CBC) received the 2021 Canadian Screen Award for Best Picture, Editing, Factual.
This program was created to reach teachers and students across the country to educate on the Truth of the residential school system, it’s legacy and Reconciliation.
“At the very outset of the program viewers can hear the sound of the drum coming in from the distance accompanied by images of the natural world. We wanted to frame the program within a positive message for every child, that they are born into love, caring and a positive place. It wasn’t until the residential schools took them that the negativity came and hurt them,” said Elder Dr. Bone, NCTR Elder in Residence. “We hoped that the program would highlight the positive beginning of the children’s lives and that love will always be alive within their spirits. We wanted to recognize this strength which is why we are still here.”
Over 500,000 Canadian youth in grades 5 to 12 from across Canada joined the NCTR’s virtual Orange Shirt Day event on September 30, 2020.
The program gave youth the opportunity to learn first-hand from the Honourable Murray Sinclair, Buffy Saint-Marie, Autumn Peltier the Water Keeper from Wiikwemkoong First Nation, the artist Notorious Cree, Rosie on The Metis, Survivor Eugene Arcand and many others from nations and cultures from across the country.
“We are overwhelmed by the awards, nominations and the acknowledgement of all the work done by the Survivors, Elders, artists and the youth who made this program possible.” Said Stephanie Scott, the NCTR Executive Director. “We are continuing this work this year with Truth and Reconciliation Week, Sept. 27-Oct 1, 2021. We hope you can join our planned week-long programming on learning the Truth from Survivors, Elders, Indigenous artists and youth and making Reconciliation not just an intention but an action.”
The NCTR loves seeing the efforts towards Reconciliation but reminds the country to always keep the Survivors in their hearts as we all move forward together on this journey. Survivors gave the country the gift of Reconciliation and we must honour them, while they are still with us.
Congratulations to all our fellow nominees and award recipients, and thank you for the acknowledgement and honour.