Jazera Oakes

Hello everyone, I’m Jazera Oakes, Zera for short and I’m from the Nekaneet Cree First Nation. Growing up, I was always the shy kid so writing was one of the ways I expressed myself and shared/created stories as it was my way to feel heard.

Through this crash-course, I’m able to learn a lot about editing, producing, sharing stories in a journalistic way and also using my voice confidently. I never saw myself doing something like this - being more social and using my voice - because I was always quiet and didn’t like talking much but I’m glad my sisters inspired me to put myself out there.

I dance powwow sometimes and sing once in a while but I enjoy all of my cultural ceremonies. I also do like being behind the camera and behind the mic - it’s really fun!  I’d like to study journalism and travel all over the world. I’d like to share stories about what’s out there and be able to inspire other youth to try new things and to see as much of the world as they can. Something unique about me would probably be my name and where I got it from - The Jungle Book Movie.