Feds support heritage foundation project

A project that benefits Aboriginal students with training in interactive media, and that teaches skills required to launch high-tech careers was given a shot in the arm on May 24 with an investment of funds from Western Economic Diversification.

The Heritage Community Foundation's Information Technology/Animation Aboriginal Project received $125,000, which will enable students to develop two production projects, one focused on creating animated vignettes based on Aboriginal legends and significant moments in history, and the other a documentary called Finding the Voice, which highlights the Aboriginal student's training and graduation.

The funds were announced at a press conference at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) where the students were able to gain certificates for their course work and hands-on experience in the interactive media field.

As part of the ceremony, two short animated films were shown that were created by the students, one about local Edmonton hero Alex Decoteau. Chase Groves, a Metis from Chetwyn, B.C., was a student in the program and introduced the vignettes. Also attending the ceremony was student Dennis Kenny of Deline, N.W.T., who had moved to Edmonton for the training last September. The program appealed to him, he said, because it expanded on his work as an artist. Kenny is a wildlife painter and carver and said the course will help him realize his dream of bringing his artistry to the computer.

Kenny said he will eventually take his skills back to his home on Great Bear Lake, because of the need for Web designers and graphic artist in the small business arena developing because of the economic boom there. In the short-term, he will intern with the foundation.