Articles by author: Brock University

• New indie film festival points the camera at Indigenous, Aboriginal themes

  Wednesday, October 12, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00217 – 6 October 2016

  Independent filmmakers are being alerted to a new festival this fall that puts a spotlight on movies and videos that raise awareness of Aboriginal issues in Canada and around the world.

  The inaugural Nakoa Film Festival, a joint venture of the Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) and Brock University, will take place Nov 25-27 in downtown St. Catharines, Ont.

  Dozens of films of varying lengths and formats are to be screened at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts and at the adjacent FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.

  The festival welcomes submissions from Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers from all countries, in the categories of short film, documentary or feature film. Submission deadline is October 10.

  Shirley Cheechoo, artistic director at WFI, said Nakoa was created to explore Indigenous topics while breaking down stereotypes and racial barriers.

  “Nakoa creates an important venue where emerging talents can be exposed to audiences, and where people can become educated about First Nations, Metis, and Inuit issues in Canada and around the world,” said Cheechoo.

  Scott Henderson, an associate professor of popular culture at Brock University and co-organizer of Nakoa, said film is a strong medium for communicating concepts and ideas to people from diverse backgrounds.

  “This festival is a terrific way to expose audiences not only to powerful art, but to different perspectives, Indigenous perspectives,” said Henderson.

  More information is contained in the Film Festival Guidelines or at the WFI website at weengushk.com
   

  For more information:

  • Stephanie Conkie, Marketing & Communications Officer, Weengushk Film Institute sconkie@weengushk.com 705-377-6011

  • Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University    
  ddakin@brocku.ca    905-688-5550 x5353

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  Categories: Media releases

• Alum and ex-diplomat to donate rare map collection to Brock archives

  Wednesday, October 12, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA ADVISORY: R00216 – 5 October 2016

  Brock University’s map collection is about to get much more historic.

  On Friday, Oct. 7, Brock alumnus and former Canadian ambassador Dan Livermore will donate 25 valuable antique maps — some dating to the 17th century — to the University’s Special Collections and Archives department.

  The maps range in size and age, but all feature Canada in some way, said David Sharron, Head of Special Collections and Archives at Brock. A number of them show Niagara at various points in history.

  “Without using text, the maps show an evolution of Canada,” said Sharron. “Maps have a way of communicating history without a lot of words.”

  Sixteen of the maps pre-date anything in Brock’s collection. The oldest map currently housed at the University dates from 1766, showing the French islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off the coast of Newfoundland.

  Brock’s staff will digitize these pieces and post them online, so people can access them and see the geographical changes that have taken place over time.

  Sharron said the donation of such a rare collection underscores the fact that Brock has the proper environmental and security controls to house historic materials. He hopes this will encourage other alumni to consider donating artefacts to the Brock archive.

  Livermore graduated from Brock in 1969 with a BA in history and politics, then went on to serve three decades as a Canadian diplomat and specialist in international affairs. Besides being Canada’s ambassador to Guatemala and El Salvador, he had postings at the United Nations in New York, as well as in Chile, and Washington, D.C. From 2002 to until his retirement in 2007, Livermore was Canada’s Director General of Security and Intelligence. He is a longtime donor and supporter of Brock University.

  Brock faculty and staff are invited to attend Friday’s event, which will take place at 10 a.m. in Special Collections on the 10th floor of Schmon Tower.

  Media are welcome and both Sharron and Livermore will be available for interviews.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  • Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases