We named See Stories as a recipient of a Sony Create Action Grant to support their inspiring mission to build inclusive communities with film and story. The Alaska-based nonprofit organization works to ensure that diverse Alaskans and youth are given the media skills to craft stories that better represent the Alaska they know. As recipients of the grant, See Stories receives $50,000 in cash to continue and expand the organization's work, $50,000 in Sony Electronics products to support their action plan, and this Sony-produced short film telling their story. 

This Alaska-based nonprofit's mission is to build inclusive communities with film and story and they're using a Create Action grant to make it happen.

See Stories works in communities all across Alaska teaching film and media literacy to the next generation of storytellers. “Every culture on the face of the planet has a storytelling tradition, has stories to tell, has stories to share,” explains Marie Acemah, founder and director of See Stories. “What better way to hook kids into storytelling, than giving them a camera?” She says it’s an easy pitch because they’re already recording videos and telling stories on social media.

As shown in the video, the youth in the program gain hands-on experience and instruction on how to use the gear, and have used what they learn to meaningfully interview their elders so they can learn the culture. “I think storytelling is a simple way to approach healing,” Acemah says. “When you have the power of your own story, you get to heal. Your community gets to heal through that.”

See Stories has impacted the lives of almost 5,000 kids across Alaska through film and media training. They plan to scale their teaching to reach thousands more. 

Learn more about See Stories and follow the organization's journey at seestoriesalaska.org.

Learn more about Sony Create Action HERE.