ᐊᑭᐊᒃ. Akiak. Brave

ᐊᑭᐊᒃ

Brave

A Collage Zine

By GET Art

More Than Words

More Than Words (MTW), a 4-year project which is part of a national gender-based violence program of promising practices to support Survivors and their families MTW investigates and learns from the use of Indigenousfocused youth-led survivor engagement through the arts, looking at impacts on the producers themselves (young people) and on their families and communities in relation to their experiences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). More Than Words works with Indigenous youth from 3 different and distinct communities and cultures; Eskasoni, located on Cape Breton Island within the Unama’gi district of Mi’kmaq territory (Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada), Treaty 6, Saskatoon and the Homeland of the Métis is the site of Young Indigenous Women’s Utopia and Rankin Inlet, Kangiqliniq, ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ, Nunavut, an Inuit community located on the west coast of the Hudson Bay. Additionally, there is a McGill University-based implementation team, which supports the on-the-ground work at all three sites.

“what does it mean to be an author or storyteller”

Introduction

In March 2024 GET Art (Girls Expressing Themselves through Art) hosted a weeklong program focused on empowerment, Inuit culture, bravery, finding our voices and sharing our stories through art. On the first day of the program the participants created the collages that make up this zine. To start the group talked about what makes them feel empowered, confident and strong. Then the participants created collages responding to the prompt of “What makes you feel empowered?”. For the collages, there were magazines available that featured Inuit art, culture and people and landscapes from Nunavik and Nunavut. Two youth mentors, Julia and Jemma, supported the GET Art participants in creating their collages.

Youth Mentor Reflections

As a mentor I help the girls create their collage. I went around and ask them if they need help with anything for me its really awesome to help them with anything they need. I really loved each and everyone’s collage. - Jemma

“what does it mean to be an author or storyteller”

I’ve been a mentor for over 7 years, and I’ve had a lot of fun facilitating the programs, the kids are so fun to work with. For this program I would help kids with gluing their pictures to make their college and for the wall handing’s I would help them thread their needles and untangle their strings, they didn’t really need help with anything, they’re really smart kids and it’s amazing how they learn so quickly. – Julia

Carve The Heart

By Kate L.

I chose these pictures because I have an interest in art and carving.

The Brave

By Katie

I picked these pictures because they make me feel brave. These pictures made me feel brave because they are of people doing things that other people might not like. And some people did something that hurts a lot and others are fighting something. I felt brave making this.

The Inuit Culture

By Rhea

I chose these pictures because they remind me of Inuit culture. Being Inuit makes me feel confident.

The North

By Teryn

Being in the North makes me feel confident. Being able to spend time outside makes me confident. I chose these pictures because they make me feel happy and special ☺ <3 Because not many people get to go hunting with their dad or go ice fishing.

Animal Life

By Teresina

I chose these pictures because they are cute. Animals are important to me because I want to be a vet. We should save animals!

A Human Wanting a Dog

By Viola

I chose these pictures because it makes me feel good sharing these pictures.

Untitled By Whisper

I chose these pictures because they make me feel strong and happy.

Inuit Culture

By Victoria T.

I chose these pictures because they remind me that culture is a fun and strong culture, that is fun!

Inuit Things

By Jeralyn

I chose these pictures because they look nice. I chose these pictures because it makes me feel strong showing these pictures.

Peaceful

By April

I chose these pictures because they look nice. I chose these pictures also because they make me feel happy.

Creating Your Own Collage Zine

1. Getting Started

Some supplies you need for collaging include: magazines, scissors, glue and paper.

Before starting to collage do a short warm up activity to get the group thinking about the theme of the collages and zines. This could be a short conversation or reflection prompts.

2. Collaging

Using different magazines cut out images and words that speak to the theme of the zine/collages. Place the images and words on the paper, trying out different arrangements before glueing everything down.

After finishing the collages have participants write a few sentences about their collage on a separate piece of paper.

3. Creating the Zine

Photograph or scan the collages and descriptions using a scanner or scanner app on a smart phone.

Place the scanned the images into a zine template. You might want to add an introduction page, call to action or other text at the beginning or end of the zine.

4. Sharing the Zine

Have the group discuss and agree upon who to share the zine with, when and how.

Digital copies can be shared by email and on different social media platforms. Hardcopies can be printed or photocopied. You can share your zine for fun, as part of an awareness campaign or advocacy initiative.

Connect With Us