DreamRider - Lashyla & Kids on Pier - Cover

Social services

Connecting with Indigenous culture through interactive media

Aug 25, 2020

DreamRider Productions Society (DRPS) is dedicated to empowering the next generation of socially responsible leaders through culturally appropriate and engaging interactive media, music and film that reach more than 50,000 elementary students annually. Through the power of storytelling, its projects encourage youth in British Columbia and across the country to become changemakers in their communities, motivated to help protect our planet and connect with Indigenous culture. 

In 2019, DRPS received a TELUS Friendly Future Foundation grant through the TELUS Vancouver Community Board. “Funding from the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has allowed us to create new Indigenous content for an existing digital online classroom program,” says DRPS executive producer Vanessa LeBourdais. The content features a young Cree superhero, Lashyla, who encourages students to become Planet Protector apprentices tasked with a mission to instill positive environmental values in their households.

"We hope that Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids across BC and Canada will see positive representation and realize that our future well-being depends upon listening to Indigenous People and respecting Indigenous culture“

With support from the TELUS Future Friendly Foundation, DRPS was able to include live streaming of its content and web-based learning, ensuring that youth have always-on access to the tools they need to continue to advocate for the well-being of our planet and take collective responsibility for their actions, the world and each other. "We hope that Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids across BC and Canada will see positive representation and realize that our future well-being depends upon listening to Indigenous People and respecting Indigenous culture,“ says  Vanessa LeBourdais.


DRPS

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is proud to support youth-based programming through technology while continuing to help keep them engaged and connected. By supporting organizations like DRPS, we can continue to future-proof the learning landscape for Canadian youth across the country.