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Stewart Embarks On New Film |
by Jessica Brousseau
MIDNORTH MONITOR June 15, 2017 |
On July 1, 1867, three separate colonies (the province of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) were united under John A. MacDonald and the Constitution Act to become the Dominion of Canada.
One hundred and fifty years has past and the country just goes by Canada; and for some, the birth of the nation often goes hand-in-hand with fireworks, barbecues and festivities. However, Massey local Jayson Stewart is ringing in the century and half birthday celebration with a new film project.
“I realize that the average Canadian will be celebrating with fireworks and flags and beautiful tulips, but (I) also know from my work in the community, that many Indigenous people are not celebrating it this year or are looking at it as another example of 150 years of colonization,” said Stewart.
‘Talking with Joganosh’ is the latest undertaking from Stewart, who has starred in various TV shows and films and is the creative force behind locally filmed Indigenous zombie horror flick REZilience. The docu-journey takes viewers into the lives of Canada’s Indigenous population as Stewart travels and embarks on an adventure to ask First Nations, Inuit and Métis people what they want Canadians to know.
Inspired by Canadian Rick Mercer and a love of travelogues, Stewart is using his camera and passion for all things film as a way to have adventures, meet new people and learn something along the way.
Joganosh, Stewart explained, is the misspelling of the word for “white man,” a play on the country’s relationship between its peoples.
“In some communities, it is a negative term, in others it is positive and in some it is neutral,” he said. “It is a lot like the relationship between Canada’s Native and non-native populations. In some communities it is working great (and) in others it needs a lot of work.”
The project is to build bridges and open doors of communication, Stewart said. It is also to celebrate the lives of neighbours, family and friends.
“It allows another opportunity for these stories to be shared, because like it or not, celebrate it or debounce it, these are the stories of our country.”
Stewart has received a great deal of feedback since launching the Talking with Jaganosh Facebook page that puts a call out to those willing to be a part of the documentary. The next little bit will be busy as he is expected to spend time with Ojibwa author Drew Hayden Taylor, an Anishinabe kwe (Ojibwa woman), members of Serpent River First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation and many others. Topics of conversation range from the importance of writing and celebrating culture, preservation, digital mapping, activism and more.
“I am spending time with a man from Shegeunidah, but who lives in Ottawa and has lived most of his life as an ‘urban Indian’,” said Stewart. “He is a cultural ambassador and works on Victoria Island. He will be showing me some men’s dance moves and promised me the best scone I’'ve ever had.”
There are a few items on Stewart’s bucket list he’d like to experience during filming, such as a sweat lodge, hunting, walking a trap line and play bingo with the “grannies.” Basically, Stewart is up for anything people want to invite him to do.
While Stewart isn’t giving away any secrets when it comes to the details of the conversations with his interviewees, he did say he walked away from his conversations with a “strong sense of warmth, pride and wisdom about their particular histories.”
He also is letting the conversation be steered naturally. He said he lets the guests choose what to talk about as it is a narrative from their perspective. He, as he stated, is the conduit with a camera. As for the layout of the documentary, Stewart was unable to comment.
“I haven’t decided (on the direction),” he explained. “I will have to take a look at all the footage and piece together and narrative based on what I get.”
He hopes to have filming wrapped up by spring so he can go back to focusing on his film REZilience next summer.
Funding
Like all film projects, money is needed and Stewart has been fundraising online via Indiegogo in hopes to travel outside of his home and head north to the James Bay coast or Nunavut. Of course, he is not ruling out other parts of the country, since 150 years spreads coast to coast.
“I think people should invest in this documentary because there aren’t enough stories out there and the films that are working towards reconciliation. We all need to be a part of the discussion if we are to heal as a nation.”
A breakdown of where the funding is needed is provided on his fundraising page, which is to cover the cost of equipment, travel, accommodation promotions and entries into film festivals when the project is complete. In total, Stewart is looking to raise $7,975.
Donations can be made online at www.indiegogo.com/projects/talking-with-joganosh-movie-canada.
One hundred and fifty years has past and the country just goes by Canada; and for some, the birth of the nation often goes hand-in-hand with fireworks, barbecues and festivities. However, Massey local Jayson Stewart is ringing in the century and half birthday celebration with a new film project.
“I realize that the average Canadian will be celebrating with fireworks and flags and beautiful tulips, but (I) also know from my work in the community, that many Indigenous people are not celebrating it this year or are looking at it as another example of 150 years of colonization,” said Stewart.
‘Talking with Joganosh’ is the latest undertaking from Stewart, who has starred in various TV shows and films and is the creative force behind locally filmed Indigenous zombie horror flick REZilience. The docu-journey takes viewers into the lives of Canada’s Indigenous population as Stewart travels and embarks on an adventure to ask First Nations, Inuit and Métis people what they want Canadians to know.
Inspired by Canadian Rick Mercer and a love of travelogues, Stewart is using his camera and passion for all things film as a way to have adventures, meet new people and learn something along the way.
Joganosh, Stewart explained, is the misspelling of the word for “white man,” a play on the country’s relationship between its peoples.
“In some communities, it is a negative term, in others it is positive and in some it is neutral,” he said. “It is a lot like the relationship between Canada’s Native and non-native populations. In some communities it is working great (and) in others it needs a lot of work.”
The project is to build bridges and open doors of communication, Stewart said. It is also to celebrate the lives of neighbours, family and friends.
“It allows another opportunity for these stories to be shared, because like it or not, celebrate it or debounce it, these are the stories of our country.”
Stewart has received a great deal of feedback since launching the Talking with Jaganosh Facebook page that puts a call out to those willing to be a part of the documentary. The next little bit will be busy as he is expected to spend time with Ojibwa author Drew Hayden Taylor, an Anishinabe kwe (Ojibwa woman), members of Serpent River First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation and many others. Topics of conversation range from the importance of writing and celebrating culture, preservation, digital mapping, activism and more.
“I am spending time with a man from Shegeunidah, but who lives in Ottawa and has lived most of his life as an ‘urban Indian’,” said Stewart. “He is a cultural ambassador and works on Victoria Island. He will be showing me some men’s dance moves and promised me the best scone I’'ve ever had.”
There are a few items on Stewart’s bucket list he’d like to experience during filming, such as a sweat lodge, hunting, walking a trap line and play bingo with the “grannies.” Basically, Stewart is up for anything people want to invite him to do.
While Stewart isn’t giving away any secrets when it comes to the details of the conversations with his interviewees, he did say he walked away from his conversations with a “strong sense of warmth, pride and wisdom about their particular histories.”
He also is letting the conversation be steered naturally. He said he lets the guests choose what to talk about as it is a narrative from their perspective. He, as he stated, is the conduit with a camera. As for the layout of the documentary, Stewart was unable to comment.
“I haven’t decided (on the direction),” he explained. “I will have to take a look at all the footage and piece together and narrative based on what I get.”
He hopes to have filming wrapped up by spring so he can go back to focusing on his film REZilience next summer.
Funding
Like all film projects, money is needed and Stewart has been fundraising online via Indiegogo in hopes to travel outside of his home and head north to the James Bay coast or Nunavut. Of course, he is not ruling out other parts of the country, since 150 years spreads coast to coast.
“I think people should invest in this documentary because there aren’t enough stories out there and the films that are working towards reconciliation. We all need to be a part of the discussion if we are to heal as a nation.”
A breakdown of where the funding is needed is provided on his fundraising page, which is to cover the cost of equipment, travel, accommodation promotions and entries into film festivals when the project is complete. In total, Stewart is looking to raise $7,975.
Donations can be made online at www.indiegogo.com/projects/talking-with-joganosh-movie-canada.