Digital Journeys screening at the Guelph Civic Museum

Guelph, On – June 19, 2013. Immigrant Services invites you to the premiere screening and reception for Digital Journeys.

This project is an initiative of the Pier 21 Museum of Immigration in Halifax. For three days in March, 2013, a dedicated group of twelve Guelph residents came together to create a series of digital stories. These stories are part of a much larger pan Canadian project. In the space of four months, Pier 21 facilitators travelled across Canada to work with communities. These stories have at their core the experience of immigrating to Canada, but each story is unique and together they catalog intensely personal journeys of growth, common experiences of leaving behind loved ones, being stateless, struggling to find home and forging new identities. These stories are going to be accessible online through Pier 21 for all Canadians to enjoy.

The intergenerational group of storytellers included: Pankaj Mehta, Maria Nino-Soto, Roisin Bovell, Farial Hashimi, Oumou Annou, Hewan Wossene, Lei Wang, Peter Wu, Nicholas Kentaro Wood, Heather Kooistra, Roya Rabbani and Carmela Nini.

Karen Kew who co-ordinated the Guelph leg of the project reflects that, “the process of creating a digital story is very intense. Not only do participants share their story, but they also learn how to create digital media. For most participants much of the technology was new and the learning curve was high, but the peer support within the group and the expert facilitation gave each participant the confidence to complete their project. It was incredible to see Immigrant Services transformed into a media lab and to see just how collaborative the process was. This was community arts practice at its best. ”

Digital Journeys will screen on June 28, 2013 at the Guelph Civic Museum from 7-8pm with a reception to follow. All are welcome and facilitators Jennifer Lafontaine and Emmy Pantin will be in attendance to talk about the project. This event is part of Fourth Fridays, which means the Museum is open to the public and admission is free from 5-9 pm.

Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington, a community-based organization, facilitates integration and settlement of newcomers who have chosen Guelph as their new home by enabling them to participate in all aspects of life in Guelph.

Contact Information:                                                

Karen Kew
[email protected]
Tel: 519-836-2222 ext. 221
www.is-gw.ca/journeys