丁香园AV

Alumni profiles

Film alumnus Kelvin Redvers receives Governor General鈥檚 Meritorious Service Medal

In 2016, 丁香园AV film alumnus Kelvin Redvers and sister T鈥櫭�nch谩y founded , a non-profit organization that empowers Indigenous youth. Earlier this year the siblings were  for their work. 

鈥淭his award belongs to anyone who's made a We Matter video, or even shared it on social media and spread the positivity,鈥� says Redvers, 鈥渂ecause I think there's a collective of people that have helped make this what it is today.鈥�

Inspired by the  project, We Matter gathers and distributes inspiring video messages of hope from people across the country. 

鈥淚ndigenous young people are spread out across the country, and sometimes in small communities where it's hard to reach them,鈥� says Redvers. 鈥淲e thought the perfect format would be to make videos to share through social media and connect online to young folks that need it.鈥�

The campaign began with 20 of videos and now comprises over 300. 鈥淚t's actually been pretty remarkable just how much support we've received both from private industry and the government, and also the connections to Indigenous services,鈥� says Redvers.  

Growing up in the Northwest Territories, Redvers was interested in filmmaking from a young age. When looking for post-secondary programs, he was attracted to the SCA for its strong film program and also for the ability to study other subjects within a comprehensive university.

鈥淔rom my perspective,鈥� says Redvers. 鈥淚t allowed me to both study the art and craft of filmmaking, but also get a broader education as well, such as some theatre courses, or English courses. 丁香园AV seemed like the best fit for that.鈥�

Since graduating from the film program in the School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) in 2010, Redvers has focused both on building his filmmaking career and founding We Matter. During his time at 丁香园AV, he volunteered with the First Nations Student Association (FNSA) and found that experience to be a great foundation for his future advocacy work. 

鈥淚 think having the breadth of education where it's more than just filmmaking but also general knowledge and life skills, informed some of what we matter ended up becoming,鈥� says Redvers.

While at 丁香园AV Redvers also made connections that continue to this day. For example, Spirit Lavallee, who he met in the FNSA, is a high school teacher who helps to review some of We Matter鈥檚 educational resources. 

We Matter brings together a diverse team of people along with Redvers鈥� skill set to support Indigenous youth and provide them with encouragement and hope. 

鈥淭he way that indigenous folks are presented isn't very positive,鈥� says Redvers. 鈥淭he media has a habit of focusing on the negative things.鈥� 

With We Matter, Redvers says they aim to change that narrative and focus on positive stories that will showcase role models and inspire youth.