Students learn podcasting

Grade eight students from Kahnawake Survival School (KSS) have wrapped up a semester of fun with the Concordia Journalism department, having produced their own podcasts with university student mentors.

“They were great, they were so funny and smart, and so energetic,” said Kristy Snell, a Concordia journalism professor who coordinated the project.

She joined forces with the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) and KSS to come up with a course outline, building upon work done during a previous iteration of the project which was done with grade 11 students starting last year.

Throughout the course, Concordia journalism students learned about Kahnawake and reporting in Indigenous communities, and then the students joined with KSS groups to work on the high schoolers’ very own projects.

Each class came up with a theme for their podcasts – one group focused on Mohawk Myths and Legends, with the other class focusing on social justice and cultural resurgence, for instance – with the objective of learning more about broadcasting and journalism.

It’s hoped that the finished podcasts could find a home somewhere with CBC – Snell said that she’s currently coordinating with the broadcaster in the hopes that Kahnawake’s next generation of storytellers can hear their words on the radio.

Students also spent a day at Concordia University, where they got to record their episodes in the journalism department’s recording studio, and learn more about university life.

“It’s my hope that they feel empowered that their knowledge and their perspectives matter, because how often do you get to hear from kids in grade eight like this?” Snell said. “I want them to see that journalism is something they can try and something they can be good at.”

Concordia student mentors were also on hand to show Kahnawa’kehró:non the ropes, and share with them a bit about their own journey with journalism and higher education.

“We want the university to not be this faceless, monolithic institution, it’s actually a place that can be friendly and welcoming, and where they can find success, because they absolutely can,” Snell said.

Groups shared stories including of the bell in Kateri Church and how it found itself in Deerfield, Massachusetts, as well as a spooky story about the Top Hat Man.

Another group made an educational podcast about the Harvest Festival and discussed foods and ceremonies, and another focused on Kanien’kéha names, and shared the meaning of their own names.

One group even zoomed in on wrestling in Kahnawake and took a deep dive into how the so-called Oka Crisis impacted the wrestling culture in the community.

Grade eight KSS teacher Candia Flynn said the partnership helped students develop their journalistic skills and build their confidence.

“We hope projects like these can continue for our students. Any time we can give them learning opportunities with real-world applications, it’s a win,” she said. “Sharing their stories and learning from each other made this experience a positive endeavour.”

Flynn said the students particularly benefited from their visit to Concordia and contact with the student mentors.

“This project exposed students to university students working towards journalism degrees. The mentors bonded with our student groups and shared their passion for the work they do in the field,” she said. “Our trip to the university also gave our kids a glimpse of the further opportunities that expanding their education can offer.”

Concordia will be working with KSS students again next semester, as they bring the project back for grade 11s, who will this time be working in radio.

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