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Youth Media Alliance Joins Forces with MediaSmarts for Media Literacy Week 2025

August 26 2025

Montreal, August 26, 2025 – The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is proud to announce its collaboration with MediaSmarts, Canada’s centre for digital media literacy, for the 20th anniversary of Media Literacy Week, taking place October 27–31, 2025.

Media Literacy Week celebrates and promotes digital media literacy nationwide through activities, workshops, and events—including Digital Citizen Day on October 29, encouraging Canadians to engage with online spaces responsibly and respectfully.

In joining this initiative, YMA reaffirms its mission to champion quality, diverse, and inclusive media content for children, and invites its member producers, broadcasters, and talents to take part. By collaborating, we can help ensure that young audiences have access to media that not only entertains, but also empowers them to navigate the digital world with confidence and critical thinking skills.

From tackling misinformation with the Break the Fake workshop to learning everyday digital skills through DigitalSmarts, Media Literacy Week offers resources that align perfectly with YMA’s values and commitment to fostering informed, creative, and responsible young media consumers.

YMA members are encouraged to support this national movement—whether by hosting events, sharing resources, or engaging online with #MediaLiteracyWeek. Together, we can amplify the message that quality children’s content goes hand-in-hand with media literacy.

For more information on how to participate, visit MediaSmarts’ Media Literacy Week page or contact YMA at alliance@ymamj.org

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Recognition of indigenous narrative sovereignty

When in Toronto: We, the YMA, acknowledge the land we work on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

When in Montreal: We, the YMA, acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation, who have long served as the custodians of these lands and waters. Tiohtià:ke (Montreal) has historically been a place of meeting and exchange among many First Nations and continues to be home to a diverse Indigenous community.

The YMA supports and promotes the narrative sovereignty of all Indigenous nations

Recognition of the Canadian Screen Industry's Statement of Values

The YMA joins organizations across Canada’s screen industry to say: this is what we stand for and commit to:
1. Representation – Ensuring Canadian and Indigenous stories are seen and heard.
2. Reflection – Everyone in Canada should see themselves on screen.
3. Showcase – Telling our stories to the world.
4. Reconciliation – Taking real steps to work with and support Indigenous storytellers.
5. Diversity – Making room for a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives.
6. Access – Breaking down barriers to participation and opportunity.
7. Support – Backing the screen industry as a vital part of our economy and culture.
8. Collaboration – Working across sectors and borders to strengthen our industry.
9. Sustainability – Creating a future that works for people and the planet.
10. Accountability – Setting goals, tracking progress, and staying honest about where we are.
11. Equity – Actively dismantling systemic discrimination in all its forms.