Overly Creative Minds
We are excited to launch Overly Creative Minds (OCM) as UNYA's newest program!!
OCM offers arts and cultural programming for Native youth (15 - 24 years), afterschool, on weekends, and during school breaks.
Generally, programming is available 5 - 6 days per week. We have many new activities and special projects soon to be launched! Please check back to this website, view our facebook page, and watch for announcements as new OCM activities kick into gear.
Goals/Purpose of Program
The goal of Overly Creative Minds is to encourage youth leadership and community engagement, and celebrate, develop, and share the voices and perspectives of Native youth through dynamic arts and culture programming.
OCM offers 15-24 year old Native youth a safe and welcoming space to explore cultural and creative activities that are important to them. Youth can choose from various activities (one-time, weekly/ongoing, or time limited projects) that allow them to learn, share, and practice new creative and cultural skills.
Native youth can learn, explore and express themselves creatively through community-based arts and culture projects that are chosen by youth, for youth. OCM is a creative space where youth can also gain leadership skills and volunteer experience by facilitating workshops and mentoring other youth through their cultural and creative journeys.
OCM provides opportunities for youth to explore their identities as Aboriginal people, and share that knowledge and pride with others as mentors and by sharing with other community members. OCM focuses on cultural development and community/youth engagement by involving youth as mentors and learners, encouraging their cultural and artistic curiosity, and helping them to become confident representatives / ambassadors who present themselves and positive messaging about Native youth to the community.
The goals of OCM projects will be to help others better understand and appreciate Aboriginal youth and their cultures, explore the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, racism, and other issues, and challenge public perceptions/stereotypes of Native youth. This meaningful work will help Native youth to ‘take control’ of messaging about Native youth in a way that empowers them.
Program Activities
Current weekly programming offered by OCM includes:
- Youth Voice: Creative Writing
- Young Women's Drum Group
- Digital Photography
- Film and Video
We also dedicate a day of the week to work on special projects and free space to inspire creativity!
We have some exciting video/documentary and mural projects that are just getting started, and a weekly Theatre program and other special initiatives will launch very soon.
Other activities 'in the works' include:
- dance classes (contemporary and traditional)
- singing
- beading, sewing and regalia-making
- a wide array of visual arts programming
Through OCM, youth will also have opportunities to learn about and participate in various cultural activities – including Talking Circles, Smudge, Westcoast canoeing traditions, and other cultural activities that are important to them.
We'll be hosting weekly workshops and open discussions exploring culture and the arts. Through OCM, youth will also collectively develop and ‘put into action’ art projects and resources (ie. murals, mosaics, posters, and buttons), and make presentations in the community, to share positive message from and about Native youth.
How Youth Can Become Involved
The OCM Project is open to Native youth ages 15-24 years.
Youth who access OCM must follow basic guidelines set-up by youth themselves, to create and keep a safe, positive, and healthy space for youth to explore their creativity and share their ideas and experiences.
Youth will also be encouraged to share their knowledge and/or skills, and learn from each other with in a respectful way and open mind, and all the while having fun in the process.
Volunteer Opportunities
Program Funders
Overly Creative Minds Program brochure (pdf)
How to contact us:
1618 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V5L 1S6
Phone: (604) 254-7732
Fax: (604) 254-7811