Elevating Indigenous voices through TELUS Local Content
TELUS Local Content (TELUS STORYHIVE, TELUS originals and maCommunauté) is a dynamic force in Canadian storytelling, dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and building stronger communities through compelling local content.
Since 2013, TELUS STORYHIVE and TELUS originals have distributed over $9.5 million in community programming funds to 825 Indigenous content creators, filmmakers and storytellers.
TELUS STORYHIVE supports and champions new and emerging content creators in British Columbia and Alberta, with a specific focus on elevating underrepresented and diverse voices and communities. The innovative programs offer production funding, training, professional mentorship and distribution to more than 1 million viewers on Optik TV, Stream+ and STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel.
Since 2014, STORYHIVE has funded over 724 new and emerging Indigenous content creators with grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 along with training, mentorship and distribution.
Learn about STORYHIVE’s innovative programs: https://www.storyhive.com/programs. The best part about the programs is that no experience is required to participate.
Learn more about a few of the projects below:
Voices of Resilience
Voices of Resilience explores the strength, beauty and perseverance of Central Alberta’s Indigenous communities. Hosted by Tyler Mckinney, this podcast dives into stories of cultural preservation and identity, focusing on language revitalization, traditions and intergenerational connections. Through personal journeys and insights from elders, the podcast highlights the resilience that sustains Indigenous cultures and aims to spread the wisdom of the past and guide the future.
Ancestral Science Podcast
Exploring and Sharing the depth of Scientific Knowledge within Stories that humans have been gifted from the Stars, Land and Animal Ancestors for thousands of years.
Reclaiming Matriarchy
Host, Shayla, interviews three Indigenous knowledge carriers around the topics of matriarchy, two spirit identity and Indigenous futurism within Vancouver, British Columbia.
Between Two Worlds
Program: STORYHIVE Empowered Filmmaker
Region: Red Deer, Alberta
Project Leads: Tyler McKinney, Emilee Froehlich, Shannon Humphrey
A stunning film by Tyler McKinney, Emilee Froelich and Shannon Humphrey which discusses their 2-spirited identity and what it represents. Made in Red Deer during the 2024 Empowered Filmmaker program in just five days by first-time Indigenous filmmakers.
TELUS originals funds and supports the production of compelling, locally reflective, social purpose documentaries and documentary series that connect established, independent filmmakers from diverse identities and communities to local and global audiences.
TELUS originals recognizes a special responsibility to the Indigenous storytellers on whose lands we live and work. In the 2024-2025 Broadcast Year, Indigenous documentary directors and producers made up 13% of TELUS original filmmakers and 26% of the program’s annual funding was committed to Indigenous-led projects.
Explore two of our released and upcoming TELUS original films below:
NiiMisSak: Sisters in Film
Director: Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin
Producer: Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin, Patti Poskitt
Executive Producer: Patti Poskitt
Region: Vancouver, B.C
NiiMisSak: Sisters in Film is a compelling feature-length documentary that weaves together the shared truths and raw personal experiences of being an IsKweWak (Indigenous female) storyteller in British Columbia’s film and documentary industry. The film spotlights five Indigenous directors at various stages of their careers, alongside the inspirational matriarch of Indigenous film, renowned Abenaki filmmaker, Alanis Obomsawiin from Montreal.
#skoden
Director: Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin
Producer: Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin, Patti Poskitt
Executive Producer: Patti Poskitt
Region: Vancouver, B.C
Every meme has its story. #skoden delves into the origins of NDN country’s most iconic meme to redefine the man at the center of it all, Pernell Bad Arm.
#skoden is captivating festival audiences with its Hot Docs world premiere in April, followed by DOXA and imagineNATIVE screenings in late spring and more fall festivals to come. The film will debut on TELUS platforms in 2026 after completing its festival circuit.
Access Indigenous storytelling – whenever, wherever
TELUS Optik TV, channel 8 (TELUS originals), channel 9 (TELUS STORYHIVE)
TELUS Optik TV, channel 126 (Indigenous Voices) – Explore live streams, documentaries and special features from Indigenous storytellers
