The Shine Network Institute is a not-for-profit organization aimed at addressing the chronic underrepresentation of Indigenous women in Canada’s media production sector. The Institute offers professional development, advocacy, consulting, and mentorship for Indigenous women in the film, television, and media sector.
Founded by Jennifer Podemski (photo), a successful Indigenous actress, producer, and director, the Shine Network is dedicated to dismantling systemic and structural barriers Indigenous women face in the screen sector while empowering them to harness their potential and thrive.
As a response to the current industry paradigm, which is not working for Indigenous women, the Shine Network aims to shift the grim reality faced by these women. According to the 6th Women in View on Screen Report 2021, less than 1% of Canadian content creators receiving funding are Indigenous women. This highlights the need for organizations such as the Shine Network Institute, which strives to break down systemic barriers in the screen sector through a variety of efforts, including re-education initiatives for industry stakeholders, such as unions, guilds, production companies, and networks. These initiatives introduce industry-specific cultural safety, cultural competency, and trauma-informed practices.
The Shine Network Original offers a collection of candid and intimate conversations with Indigenous women reflecting on their experiences in the film and television industry. The series titled Indigenous Women Rise features Annick Obonsawin, a 25-year veteran actress and content creator, Danis Goulet, a Cree/Métis writer, and director whose films have screened at festivals around the world, Donna Noonan, a production designer who studied Fine Arts and Theatre Scenography, Heather Manitowabi, a Make-Up artist for the film and television industry, Katherena Vermette, a Métis writer who won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry, Lisa Meeches, an Anishinaabe producer, and Loretta Todd, an Indigenous media leader, who has directed over 100 projects, including award-winning documentaries. Michelle Thrush, a seasoned actor and writer, and Myrna McCallum, a lawyer, and podcaster, are also featured in the series.
The Shine Network Institute provides Indigenous women with a platform to share their experiences and skills, fostering the growth of Indigenous women in the media industry. The organization offers courses, workshops, mentor sessions, and much more, ensuring that these women have access to the resources they need to thrive.
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