Top 12 of ’12

It’s that time where I take stock of the year that has just passed on figure out what the goals are moving forward. 2012 has been way less glamourous than my 2011 reflections round up as I have remained in Toronto for most of the year and have put in more time in my pyjamas than on planes … but alas that was my goal last year:

I still have a few places that I want to go but decreasing work travel is really going to help me focus and spend last time in different time zones and more time in the work flow zone. That is my goal for the new year.

This year I want to set my intention on making my career goals really happen. I’ve got a business plan that I’m working on and I’ve set a deadline for myself to get the first draft done this month. Making my business a reality is all that I want from this year. It’s a “make it or break it” kind of year for me.

1. Nat & Marie Show

The year started off with a bang. I was on the Nat & Marie show in early January and it was a blast! It also set the tone for the year as I was toying with the idea of leaving my job and had the early whispers of having my own TV show in the works. You can watch the webisode here.

2. Leaving My Job

It all came to me while I was in Jamaica. I must leave my job. I was faced with some very immediate opportunities and the ful-time affair was hindering my ability to partake in them and I was torn, scared, and a bit worried about taking the leap. Apparently all you need is a little bit of sunshine, some rum, and conversations with good friends to get all the worries out of your mind. So I took the leap. I emailed my decision while still in Jamaica. It was that overwhelming. While I’ve missed the steady paycheque more than I care to admit, I don’t regret my decision one teeny bit.

3. Voiceover Work

Not once, but twice this year I got to spend some time doing voiceover work in the Mediazoic studios. It was a blast and one of the first times I have done voiceover work and I loved spending time in the studio. One of the works was made into an education DVD about Inuit games and the other was for an Aboriginal service that launched in Edmonton, which you can listen to here.

4. Filming UNG TV Trailer

For a few months there my life felt like a reality show. Okay not quite that intense, but it was a lot of time spent coordinating shoots. With a local production company and a small team we put together a TV trailer for  a show called Urban Native Girl (it has a ring to it, doesn’t it?). While the show’s fate is still up to the decision makers, being involved in the process from creation to execution has taught me a lot about television and the industry. Oh and it was fun.

5. Banff World Media Festival

Thanks to so many of you readers and those on social media channels, I won the blogging for Banff competition and got to head west. It was a truly amazing experience where I got to meet a lot of amazing and inspiring people, and hobnob with some of Canada’s media elite. Oh yeah, and I got to pitch my TV show too. Fun, fun!

6. Moving On Up

I moved out of a place that was meant to be temporary, but somehow got comfortable and ended up staying there for over a year and a half. I lived their by default and stayed by default. I finally took the reigns and ended up moving to a cute little townhouse in the neighbourhood that I like and with a significant life upgrade (there’s a dishwasher!). Not settling on anything is key to being happy in life.

7. Filming Kateri: In Her Footsteps

In the last few days of summer I headed up north to film a part of a docu-drama on Kateri Tekakwitha. The part was all non-speaking but it was still awesome to get a few days filming and learning more about this epic Native woman and her role in history. The DVD can be ordered here.

8. Murdoch Mysteries

I booked a part! A small speaking role on Murdoch Mysteries. I spent two days on set and I loved *every* single second of it. Walking onto set that first day felt so good that I got a little shiver and that feeling that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Now if only I can get some more of those on-set moments …

9. ImagineNATIVE Film Festival CBC Internship

During the 13th Annual ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival I was selected to be an intern for CBC News! What a dream job. I love imagineNATIVE and the work that it showcases of Indigenous artists from all over the world and I got the experience of highlighting a few of the films for a mainstream media outlet. If I were able to turn this kind of work into a full-time gig, well then you could colour me happy. *fingers crossed*

10. Getting Published in The Guardian

So maybe I should pretend that this is no big deal and that I am a very serious journalist and a great writer so of course I was published in The Guardian … but it was a big deal. Major big deal. I am very thankful for the opportunity to write and for the time and education that I’ve had in the last few years on Native appropriation by both Native Appropriations and Beyond Buckskin. These ladies have paved the way for many to be more informed. Win. You can read the piece here.

11. CTV News Appearance

During November I was referred to be featured on CTV News. It was kind of an amazing experience and my first time on a major news network. I also now feel pressured to do more, be more and take action on all the things that I want to create in my life (hence the 2013 goal). You can watch the segment here.

12. Hosting at OSUM Day for Aboriginal Women Entrepreneurs

This was one of the best experiences for me as it got me “fired up” (sorry Evangelist child) to get working on my business plan and get the entrepreneurship train really working for me. These ladies that I met are all truly inspirational and very much role models to look up to as a budding Aboriginal entrepreneur.