Centering Coast Salish Youth Voices: Children of the Setting Sun Productions Complete Filming of Episode One of “The Sound”
Video Description: Children of the Setting Sun’s Episode One of “The Sound” Trailer. Visit their website for more information.
Friday Harbor, WA - The Madrona Institute is incredibly honored to help support Children of the Setting Sun Production’s (CSSP) casting and production of Episode 1 of 'The Sound', an Indigenous-created and cast coming-of-age narrative production centering the voices of native youth and their journeys of self-discovery and reconnection with their culture and place. In 2022, CSSP was awarded a Madrona Stewardship Grant to support this project, utilizing funds from the San Juan Islands Special License Plate Campaign.
A highlight for the organization was including and involving Coast Salish youth in every aspect of production: cast, production support and editing, catering, set design, and wardrobe. The production team was able to curate and edit existing archival drone footage of the San Juans for inclusion in the pilot episode.
While filming of Episode One has concluded, CSSP hopes to film a longer 10-episode story, highlighting and forecasting the San Juan Islands as the healing destination for future episodes - the view of the San Juans in various scenes foreshadows the importance of reconnection.
The Sound project provides opportunities for Salish Indigenous youth to engage in sharing their perspective while being involved in, and central to the process of high-quality video production which will ultimately reach a broader audience. The Sound production project, story, and process also highlights the essential aspect of a sense of place, and the unique setting and history of the Islands and surrounding region in relation to Indigenous youth and connection with their ancestral homelands. The production process itself provides contemporary opportunities to skill build in the context of storytelling, multiple facets of video production, and having their voice heard and perspective affirmed through the format of high-quality and engaging production that will reach a broader audience.
As the first narrative production (compared to documentary style) for CSSP, funds contributed to a more substantial production budget and scope than previous productions have required. Additionally, as an Indigenous-led storytelling organization whose mission includes Salish Indigenous youth leadership development and perspective, as well as maintaining a connection with ancestral homelands - i.e. the San Juan Islands - funds from the Madrona Grant contributed to the total project and outcomes.
““When you’re a vocal people that are silenced, and your people don’t hear your stories anymore – What does that do to your understanding of yourself and your people? What does that do to your self-esteem as an individual? Storytelling has always been a part of who are as people. When we’re able to tell our stories, there’s healing in that, there’s power in that, there’s medicine in that. The Sound is the first-ever dramatic TV narrative from Children of the Setting Sun Productions. The film follows a misfit group of Salish teens as they embark on this epic Canoe Journey over the summer after their high school graduation, focusing on Indigenous youth and mental health risks that teens face today. A lot of our characters go through these transformative experiences that our youth model from.”
Indigenous youth aren’t seeing characters like them in the media they consume. The Sound is really important because each of our characters are relatable to them. They’re going through similar experiences – there’s hope and lightness in their stories, but there’s also darkness that they resonate with, because it’s their reality. Our characters go through this journey of self-discovery, and enlightenment, and love, and grief.
We believe the show will resonate with all audiences across the country and offer a unique perspective.
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More about Children of the Setting Sun Productions
Children of The Setting Sun Productions 501(c)(3) Non-profit is dedicated to creating and sharing Indigenous stories of gratitude, generosity, respect and responsibility. They seek to empower the minds and hearts of future generations. Their work centers on four primary projects:
Indigenous-Led Think Tank: The mission of Setting Sun Institute is to put things back together. They endeavor to resolve human conflict and protect the natural environment by using the traditional wisdom of the Salish people in a new way: through a Native-led think tank grown in the home region of the Pacific salmon.
Salmon People Project: They are embarking on a journey to tell the story of the ancient bond between the Native people and salmon. The research, gatherings and documentary series will help magnify Indigenous voices in the fight to reverse the devastating loss of salmon and protect Mother Earth.
Young Tribal Leadership: This program creates opportunities for young people to embrace their culture and strengthen professional skills. They are involved in every aspect of the valuable work, including research, podcasts, production, events and speaking engagements.
Community Projects: CSSP is honored to partner with community organizations and help capture meaningful moments through gatherings and interviews transformed into beautiful videos. Working together, they help shine the light on important work that is happening and messages that need to be heard.
More about The Madrona Institute’s Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program
The Madrona Institute empowers organizations in the San Juan Islands by offering small grants through the Madrona Stewardship Fund. These grants support initiatives that foster youth engagement, environmental and cultural stewardship, climate action, and social justice. The funding is sourced from the sales of San Juan Islands Special License plates through the Department of Licensing.
In its second year of grant-making in 2022, The Madrona Institute allocated $45,000 to local nonprofit organizations. This marks our ongoing commitment to channeling the proceeds from the San Juan Islands Special License Plate sales into impactful projects that enhance the well-being and sustainability of our local community.
2022 Grantees include:
$10,000 to the San Juan Islands Conservation District for their San Juan Islands Youth Conservation Corps program
$10,000 to the Madrona Institute for the Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps program
$5,000 to the Friends of the San Juans for their Youth Environmental Mentoring Program
$5,000 to the Alchemy Art Center for their Young Environmentalists Arts Intensive Program
$5,000 to the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild for their Farm Heroes for Environmental Stewardship Program
$5,000 to Wild Orca for their San Juan Island Naturalist Program
$5,000 to the Children of the Setting Sun Productions to support the creation of the Indigenous film series and pilot episode “The Sound”
Awards are made on an annual basis for local projects and programs that support the conservation and stewardship of agricultural, cultural, and natural resources in the islands, with emphasis on youth engagement and environmental justice.
Support These Programs and Get your Special License Plate Today!
The Madrona Institute proudly serves as the organizational sponsor of the San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, established on October 1, 2019 through the WA Department of Licensing.
By purchasing a San Juan Islands Stewardship License Plate, you actively contribute to the stewardship of the San Juan Islands. Every purchase directly supports The Madrona Institute's Special License Plate Stewardship Grant program, making impactful programs and projects as highlighted above, possible.
Your support through the Special License Plate initiative becomes a tangible and meaningful way to foster sustainability and community well-being in the San Juan Islands and greater Salish Sea.
