"We Are Strong" - Watch the Music Video Made by Youth from Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, Alberta
Youth from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement in Alberta had an exciting time recently, learning to write and record music. In partnership with inPath’s N’we Jinan Mobile Production Studio, community youth had the opportunity to write lyrics, record their music and make a music video for their song “We Are Strong”.
The project began when Community Mentors at Fishing Lake applied for a grant called Honouring Life through Alberta Health Services, a grant for prevention and awareness of youth suicide. Based on the four-part model of the traditional teachings from the Medicine Wheel, the grant aims to help build youth’s self-esteem, courage and team building.
“If the youth didn't have these tools they wouldn't have completed the [project]. It was an awesome experience for my Right To Play youths and for myself to see these youths grow.” - Lionel, Community Mentor
As part of the grant, Lionel Dillon, Community Mentor for Fishing Lake, partnered with inPath to incorporate music-making into his Right to Play programming. There was a lot of interest from youth in the community and the project gave them an opportunity to come out of their shells and share their voice and experiences through music. Over the course of 4 days of workshops with the Mobile Production Studio team, youth got a chance to learn songwriting, recording, beat-making, storytelling and music video production.
“We gave them a platform to use their voices and send a message out into the Universe for everyone to hear and they did just that," said Meaghean Lehr, Cross-Jurisdictional Liaison for Fishing Lake Métis Settlement. "‘We are Strong’ is a message from our youth to honour your life, your family, your friends, your community and all those who are in it. To have pride in yourself, you can overcome anything if you just believe in yourself.”
Check out their amazing work below!