Welcome

We invite you to explore the creative works produced by a cohort of 14 post-secondary students from across Canada.

Launched in May 2023, WhereWeStand is the third iteration of multimedia storytelling cohorts produced by Toronto Metropolitan University’s CERC Migration (now the Global Migration Institute). Following in the footsteps of the two earlier projects, i am… and Under the Tent, WhereWeStand continued to explore identity and belonging in Canada through the creative lens.

What takes WhereWeStand in a new direction is the pairing together of Indigenous people with newcomers to foster connections and expand perspectives. Applicants from across Canada the country vied to participate and the final cohort was confirmed through a selection committee comprised of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community volunteers. The selected finalists, who were paired together, produced creative works that explore identity and belonging in the colonial construct of Canada, situated on Turtle Island.

Using a variety of creative expressions from dance to  music, film and theatre, the cohort of 14 participants expressed their thoughts. The pairs were mentored by creative industry professionals and developed stories that could be widely shared with a public audience. The resulting creative works delve into themes such as the connection to home, the relationship to the Land, the experience of truth and reconciliation for newcomers, resiliency through grief, and the unseen struggles faced by minority groups in Canada.

Following the creative process, the WhereWeStand cohort travelled across Canada to premiere their works in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. This fostered further connection with Indigenous and newcomer communities all over the country and was a true highlight of the journey for all participants.

Keep scrolling to view the creative projects and hear what the artists have to say about their process of collaboration.