For 10 years, content creators from across B.C. and Alberta have been sharing their passions and telling local stories from small towns, underrepresented communities and unique perspectives thanks to support from TELUS STORYHIVE. These stories have sparked conversations, changed narratives and transformed careers of emerging content creators.
“We are incredibly proud of the work STORYHIVE has supported over the past 10 years in communities on Vancouver Island,” says Erin Shaw, STORYHIVE Vancouver Island & Northern B.C. territory manager. “Celebrating and amplifying Canadian-created content that is locally reflective and relevant is at the core of TELUS STORYHIVE’s mission. It’s been very rewarding to be able to amplify the voices of the community and champion the development of inspiring content like that created by Katie Hamilton.”
Local content creator highlights inspiring stories in Canadian women’s sport
Katie Hamilton’s life has always revolved around sports. And as a professional soccer coach and sports reporter, she’s seen first-hand the limited coverage women’s sports receives — and the effect that lack of coverage has on girls’ participation in communities across B.C.
So she created Her Love of Sports, a visual podcast dedicated to creating a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone in sport.
“It’s something I wanted to do for years, but it wasn’t until I filled out my application to do a visual podcast with TELUS STORYHIVE that everything got rolling,” she says. “Having one-on-one mentorship throughout the process was so fantastic. Words can’t explain how appreciative I am of STORYHIVE.”
STORYHIVE is celebrating 10 years of passionate, local stories, told by creators across BC and Alberta. Thanks to the production funding, training, mentorship and distribution on TELUS Optik TV, these stories have sparked conversations, changed the narrative, and transformed the careers of emerging content creators.
One of STORYHIVE’s goals is to uplift stories from remote towns and underrepresented communities, which resonated with Hamilton’s vision for Her Love of Sports.
“Everyone starts somewhere, and in professional Canadian sport it starts with community sports — that’s the heart. There’s a lack of access, lack of safety and lack of role models for girls and nonbinary athletes. By telling the stories of female Olympic athletes, coaches and community organisers, we’re showing other girls and coaches how to succeed in sport.”
In her own career, Hamilton often has to commute from Victoria to Vancouver to cover athletics. With her STORYHIVE Voices project, she was able to work from her hometown and celebrate some local stories — including how Victoria resident and Team Canada softball player Emma Entzminger won her Olympic medal.
“Before STORYHIVE I didn’t see myself as a content creator. But I decided to apply, because I thought, what do I have to lose? I did my best with the application and spoke from the heart, and ultimately I think that’s what STORYHIVE was looking for,” she says. “Doing creative things is pretty vulnerable. But having STORYHIVE’s support, their belief in what you’re doing, it’s unbelievable.”
Making an impact in B.C. and Alberta for a decade
STORYHIVE’s impact in the last 10 years includes distributing over $52 million in production funding, supporting 1,100+ screen based projects to be produced, over 10,000 hours of robust training and one-on-one mentorship. STORYHIVE has also supported 270+ communities across BC and Alberta. Through innovative programs they provide production funding, training, mentorship and distribution on TELUS Optik TV and online platforms. STORYHIVE remains committed to supporting and empowering the next generation of Canadian content creators and storytellers.
STORYHIVE couldn’t do this work alone; it takes an entire community of organisations and diverse community voices to help deliver these first rate programs. Many remarkable organisations, partners, team members and individuals have contributed to the growth and development of STORYHIVE programs over the years.
Learn more about the impact STORYHIVE has made in your community at STORYHIVE.com/anniversary.
4 ways to celebrate a decade of local storytelling with STORYHIVE!
- See how STORYHIVE programs have made a difference in your community at STORYHIVE.com/anniversary.
- Watch Local, Support Local. For every view on the new Optik TV Channel 9 from June 1-30, 2023, TELUS will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $10,000 total) to the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation.
- Check out the STORYHIVE anniversary video, Dare to Dream, Dare to Create
- Stay up to date on STORYHIVE’s website and social media @STORYHIVE on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to learn about future funding opportunities and the latest local content to watch.
Learn more about the impact that STORYHIVE has made in your community at STORYHIVE.com/anniversary.