The Brandon University Centre for Aboriginal and Rural Education Studies (BUCARES) is established in 2008, and its role is to promote and facilitate research activities that are of interest to rural, northern, and Indigenous communities, school divisions, and related organizations.
The “Real Change” film project was part of a research project in Manitoba, by Michelle Lam, Ph.D., Denise Humphreys, Akech Mayuom, and Stephanie Spence. In the first phase of the project, participants are asked to complete surveys and interviews to explore topics such as perceptions towards diverse groups and ways in which people experience racism, bias, and discrimination. From December 23, 2020, to January 31, 2021, precisely 500 responses were received. The data demonstrated that 84% of respondents believed that racism is a problem in their area.
From these stories, scripts were written that highlighted anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Newcomer racism, Islamophobia, and anti-Black racism. The scripts were then read with diverse focus groups for feedback, which was then integrated into the scripts.
In the final stage of the research, the films were launched online, along with accompanying toolkits and a facilitation guide.
The goal of the project is to amplify BIPOC voices, challenge the public to confront biases and privilege, and learn how to be actively anti-racist.
