M’CHIGEENG—On December 2, Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) announced the appointment of Jill Brindle as its new Chair of the Board of Directors.
Brindle had a 23-year career as a secondary school teacher for the District School Board of Niagara, before assuming academic roles at Brock University in St. Catharines. Her Brock positions included Manager of Learning Services and Manager, Brock Aboriginal Student Services.
At Brock she was responsible for coordinating a range of academic skills programs delivered both by professional staff and by trained student members. Her role included development, delivery, and assessment of academic, online and in-person student workshops, consultations, tutoring support, and customized programs for Brock’s aboriginal students, as well as other target groups.
While at Brock, Ms. Brindle also led the development of the Niagara Post-Secondary Holistic Wellness Project. This program builds upon an aboriginal understanding of wellness, viewing mental health holistically and taking into account emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual aspects of wellbeing.
In accepting the appointment as WFI board chair, Ms. Brindle said she “will strive to contribute through member and community engagement.” Ms. Brindle went on to say that she is committed to helping students find success in their studies, in their future careers and in their communities and that she looks forward to helping support Weengushk Film Institute in its mission to unlock the creative potential of Indigenous youth.
WFI Director Shirley Cheechoo said the WFI is elated to have someone of Ms. Brindle’s passion and dedication leading a board of enthusiastic directors and that Weengushk Film Institute will be highly successful in the development and implementation of its programming and operations.
Ms. Cheechoo said that Ms. Brindle’s leadership will help the WFI “aspire to new levels of excellence as it strives to help youth realize their dreams by putting tools in their hands, opening doors to new possibilities, and fostering involvement within the creative community.”
Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) is a non-profit, artist-focused film and television-training centre located on beautiful Manitoulin Island. WFI is dedicated to unlocking creative potential and developing market leading skills and experiences among its participants. At WFI, emerging artists learn filmmaking and life skills, as they continue on their paths towards fulfilling and sustainable futures. For further information, please visit www.weengushk.com.
