The only entry from the flatland provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, was Should I Stay or Should I Go<\/em>, by RRC Polytech professional photography instructor, Jocelyne Hebert. Hebert has been teaching at the college for four years and graduated from the photography program herself in 2001.<\/p>\n Photo by Emma Honeybun<\/p>\n Jocelyne Hebert (pictured), a photography instructor at RRC Polytech, was a member of Team Canada in the World Photographic Awards.<\/p><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n The exhibition opened Nov. 20, and Hebert described the recognition as nothing short of “insane.”<\/p>\n “I have never felt such community support,” she said. “There were photographers there who were my mentors, my past students, friends, my husband, my parents … all these people. I felt very loved.”<\/p>\n Hebert said she initially felt odd bringing up her role as part of Team Canada to her colleagues, but eventually broached the subject because she was the only prairies-based professional in the mix. Her bosses took the idea of staging an exhibition and “ran with it.”<\/p>\n Hebert’s husband, Travis, was involved in the development of Manitou a bi Bii daziigae with Akman Construction, which provided a “full circle” moment for her as she addressed the crowd.<\/p>\n “Growing up, I was always known as the girl with the camera … to stand there while still being the girl with the camera, that was overwhelming,” she said. “It’s been an exciting journey.”<\/p>\n Being on Team Canada has been an “amazing” experience, she said.<\/p>\n “You know the saying, ‘If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room’? I felt like I was in the right room. These people are so talented… but the whole process has been so inspiring.”<\/p>\n Hebert, who lives in Oakbank, took the shot that qualified her for Team Canada in July 2023. It depicts her eldest daughter in a pond (replicated in a kiddie pool), half-submerged in murky waters. It was inspired by Hebert’s brother-in-law, who had committed suicide.<\/p>\n “I had never experienced something like that before,” she said, adding that, as someone who grew up in a generally stress-free environment, it was as though the “blinders (were) off.”<\/p>\n Because it’s been a few years since the photo was taken, she said she feels as though the healing has begun.<\/p>\n “It wasn’t because of him (initially), but inside I knew it was,” she said.<\/p>\n Hebert said that as she heals, she has aimed to become a better listener and she’s begun to notice how common mental illness is but how few people are open to speaking about it — much like her brother-in-law.<\/p>\n “I hope this experience allows other people to be inspired,” she said. “I’m excited for where youth and photography is going.”<\/p>\n
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