As part of the City Poems project, students from Dr. Gaertner’s FNIS 454 course at the University of British Columbia partnered with Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow and Vancouver's Poet Laureate Fiona Lam to produce a series of short poetry films. Based on Debra Sparrow's poem "Know Who You Are, Know Where You Come From," the project employed principles of Indigenous new media and Agile development. Over one academic term, students engaged in collaborative, iterative prototyping, benefiting from extensive feedback from Sparrow, Lam, and guest experts. This effort culminated in five unique films that not only demonstrate a range of creative talents—ranging from original animations to sound design—but also explore complex themes like decolonizing visuals and negotiating urban-rural representations.

The students mastered new technical skills and collaborative methodologies in a short span of time. Acknowledgments are due to Debra Sparrow for her generous guidance and cultural education, as well as to Fiona Lam, who initiated our collaboration. Their combined contributions serve as both a platform for artistic expression and a model for future interdisciplinary academic endeavors.