NIICHRO's experience developing a previous training package such as Spirit in Motion has proven the value of using an instructional video as a training tool. The video process for Coming Full Circle happened in two phases. The pre-production phase considered and evaluated the research for the content and target group for the instructional video. The preliminary review of the literature indicated that the most critical issue is one of "motivating" the older frail Aboriginal person.

The National Steering Committee discussed the initial ideas that arose out of the Literature Review at its January 14-15, 2002 meeting in Kahnawake Quebec. It was decided that the video should create an approach to healthy living in keeping with the theme of the Medicine Wheel. It was determined at that meeting that a holistic approach featuring the mind, social, spiritual and body elements be used as a model. It was also important that a realistic and motivational video be created, depicting the issues for the frail Aboriginal elderly in different areas in Canada.

Filming an Aboriginal woman at a care facility outside of Seabird Island, BC

At the January 14-15, 2002 meeting, the Steering Committee agreed that the video would be divided in sections rather than have a theme of "exercise" throughout. While the process of having activities throughout the video worked well for the relatively younger audience of Spirit in Motion, it was determined that the frail and elderly target audience for Coming Full Circle would not benefit from the same technique. The Steering Committee also considered the word "exercise" as being often intimidating to the very elderly or frail. It was decided that the word "exercise" should not be used and that instead, the idea of "activity and movement" be embraced for the training video. It was agreed that the activities and movements portion be in its own separate area of the video. The format of the video was discussed again and confirmed by the Steering Committee when they met for the second time on May 18-19, 2002 in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the second Steering Committee meeting, the filming process was discussed in greater detail with a complete concept overview and script developed by Charmaine Carvalho. Charmaine also directed Spirit in Motion, and is producing and directing the Coming Full Circle video.

Upon researching sites to film the video, it was recommended that Chilliwack, British Columbia and Hobbema, Alberta be the sites chosen for the Coming Full Circle filming. The frail elderly will be well represented in the video so that the integrity of the training remains intact. NIICHRO wanted a sufficient number of frail elderly people who could benefit from the training shown in the video.

During the community consultation interviews, NIICHRO researchers asked specific questions pertaining directly to the use of a video as a training tool. The responses overall demonstrated to NIICHRO that a video about healthy living would be valuable for CHRs and the frail elderly members of the community. The research and needs assessment showed NIICHRO and the filmmaker which areas to concentrate on in producing the video. The responses also indicated that the CHR was the best person to deliver the training in the video to the elderly population for two main reasons:

Several participants were interested in being more active now, but could not envision themselves "exercising". However, many did see how they would be more inclined to do movement-centred activities with help from a CHR or caregiver.

The main barriers to the use of a video were poor vision, poor hearing and lack of VCR equipment.

As a result of the information gathered from elders' responses, NIICHRO focused the development of the 24-minute training video to be delivered by the CHR. The video will accompany the Training Manual to be used as a training package by CHRs in their communities. The community consultation indicated that frail elderly Aboriginal people generally feel averse to "exercise videos". Therefore it was recommended that the video be created in two parts. While the video will show safe movement techniques for frail elders, it will concentrate its movement activities in the last part. This will represent the BODY aspect of the training. The first section focuses on family, motivation, socialization, spirituality and overcoming barriers to more active and healthy living. While the video follows the holistic approach to training, it also carries a theme of family involvement throughout the four sections of mind, social, spiritual and body.

Filming at Seabird Island, BC

In addition to the issues raised in the literature review and consultation process, the video includes montages of still photographs and interviews with older frail or disabled Aboriginal people. The images and interviews are woven together to speak to the barriers the frail elderly face and how they are overcome.

The video production phase was carried out in two community sites with the assistance of resident older and frail Aboriginal people. In order to develop safe movement activities for the frail elderly, Star Horn provided her expertise for the BODY portion of the video. Star brings experience from her work on Spirit in Motion as well as a background in Human Kinetics. Wendy Mayo was the video filming shoot coordinator. Wendy worked with community representatives in the shoot locations to get the community interested and involved in the project. Wendy planned the trips to the filming locations of Chilliwack and Seabird Island in British Columbia and Hobbema in Alberta. The first shoot took place between June 1-4, 2002 in Chilliwack and Seabird Island, British Columbia. In Hobbema, the crew arrived on June 5, 2002 and filmed until June 7th.

The process of making the video started approximately six months in advance. Wendy Mayo contacted Eddie Gardner of the Stó:lõ Nation in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Maggie Pettis of Seabird Island, British Columbia, and Rosie Roan in Hobbema, Alberta to discuss the project and book the filming schedule. Once the schedule was set, Wendy went over the script and the video's concept with Eddie, Maggie and Rosie. With the full knowledge of the script, the three set out to find individuals that would fit the roles in the video. The people chosen also had to be willing to become the stars of the video. The three community representatives did a fantastic job finding elderly people willing to share their time and experience with NIICHRO to help make the video.

The video script focuses on the issues and barriers facing the Aboriginal frail elderly as they try to live a healthy active life. In addition, the video also contains documentary-style interviews and movement activities with frail elderly people who are working towards or who have overcome certain barriers and continue to find ways to live actively in their community. Extra footage was gathered in Kahnawake on July 13, 2002 when the crew filmed at the Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow-Wow weekend. This footage depicts the frail elderly out in the community enjoying activities, their families and their culture.

The Coming Full Circle video stars frail elderly Aboriginal people who are not trained actors but members of the communities NIICHRO visited. NIICHRO would like to acknowledge all the people who volunteered their time and experience to the video. The filming process takes time and sometimes the days are long in order to create an excellent finished product. The stars of Coming Full Circle were patient, willing and interested in helping out and making the video a success. Thank you!