Inuit Broadcasting Corp. launches training program for Inuit youths

The Inuit Broadcasting Corp. is launching a hands-on media training program to equip young Inuit with skills needed to produce television and digital content.

Called Tigulavut, meaning “to get a hold of,” the four-month pilot program will begin in June with training taking place in Ottawa and Nunavut.

Applications are now open for Inuit ages 18 to 30.

Participants will receive training in filming, audio recording and post-production using professional-quality cameras, microphones and editing software including Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro. They will also learn to produce their own short film.

Each will also receive a camera, lighting and sound equipment worth more than $1,500.

Twenty students will be trained, said Kate Chappell, IBC’s senior training and communications adviser, adding the program is “open to whoever shows passion for this industry.”

“No prior experience is really required,” she said. “Most of them probably already have more experience than the older generation because they’re on their phones.”

Program lead Ipeelie Ootoova said IBC is partnering with Nunavut Sivuniksavut in Ottawa, which is helping recruit participants for the program and providing access to its facilities and student residence.

“Hands-on training is our main focus right now based on the curriculum we’re working on,” said Ootoova, who is also an actor and filmmaker.

“I did my first short films on my own — producing, directing, acting, writing. Making the short film will teach [participants] how the film industry works.”

The program will include mentorship from industry professionals and hands-on training on IBC productions.

Ootoova said the goal is to provide paths to employment for program graduates.

“We’ll hire at least two full-time here at IBC, and we can contract them to do some IBC work when the program is done,” he said.

“There’s North of North and other big productions happening now, and they always need Inuit producers and filmmakers.”

At least six weeks of the Tigulavut program will be held in Nunavut, Chappell said, where students will gain experience filming actual IBC shows.

After the program is completed, it will help IBC identify trained students living in these communities to make it easier to hire them for future work.

Ootoova noted IBC previously ran training programs in communities such as Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet in the 1980s and 1990s.

“My hope is that we can expand to that level again, with people working for IBC creating content. Plane tickets are so expensive, so having youth or workers locally will help a lot,” he said.

Chappell said the pilot program is fully funded for its first year through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and the Canada Council for the Arts. IBC hopes to get funding for two more years.