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Fifteen Projects Receive Support From The CMF Aboriginal Program

Canada Media Fund [1] The Canada Media Fund [1] (CMF) announced today a contribution of $6.3M to 15 projects that applied to the Aboriginal Program. Canadian and international audiences will enjoy five new Children’s & Youth productions, nine Documentaries, and one Drama. Since 2010, the CMF has provided more than $30.3M to 82 Aboriginal productions. 

The 15 projects stem from various parts of the country since one is from Alberta; one from British Columbia; one from Manitoba; one from Nunavut; three from Ontario; six from Quebec; one from Saskatchewan; and, one interprovincial coproduction between Nunavut and Quebec.

Title Applicant Commitment
All My Aboriginal Relations – DM Waterfront Productions Inc. $56,250
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

The “All My Aboriginal Relations” app makes it a lot easier to research Aboriginal family history, mainly because pre-1900 records of Aboriginal ancestors in sites like ancestry.ca are rare for a variety of reasons. For example, many Aboriginal people didn’t have English names until the early 20th century. Also, early records of Aboriginal settlements are difficult to find and there was no census on reserves. The app will include tutorials (text and video) on where Métis, Inuit and First Nations archives and historical sources are located in Canada. The app will also include archival material (photos, maps, documents) about communities featured in the television series. The app will include a family tree template that can be downloaded.

All Our Relations II (201-207) Waterfront Productions Inc. $378,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Part history, part biography, “All Our Relations” celebrates the lives of Aboriginal Canadians who have achieved international success and recognition in fields such as sports, politics, the arts, business and entertainment. The series takes its viewers on an amazing trek through the family roots of each guest, and the story of their Aboriginal community. Episodes profile First Nations, Inuit and Métis people through interviews with Elders, historic experts, relatives and the subjects themselves. Archival footage, historic photos, 3D graphics and stunning HD footage of Aboriginal communities in Canada vividly illustrate each featured subject’s unique background. “All Our Relations” takes a close look at ancestral histories and acknowledges pride in the traditional cultures. The series provides a special window into the personal lives and historical roots of each person and inspires viewers to explore their own family genealogies.

Face the Music I (1-6) Kwiiga Pictures Inc. $358,374
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

An inspirational TV and Web documentary series about the enterprising ambition of classically trained, and critically acclaimed, Haida/Cree singer/songwriter Kristi Lane Sinclair. This revealing look takes you behind closed doors in the Canadian music industry as we document Kristi’s roller-coaster attempt to be defined as an artist in terms of her Aboriginal heritage. With big plans and unfulfilled dreams, she seeks the wisdom of well-known musicians and industry leaders to help her create a seminal CD and sing her way onto the Canadian folk/rock landscape. But conflicting demands in her personal and professional life test her artistic resilience.

Face the Music, Web 2.0 Kwiiga Pictures Inc. $48,195
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : British Columbia
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Ftmtv.ca is a media rich, interactive digital site designed to provide audiences with an immersive “Face the Music” experience.

Hit The Ice IV (40-52) 4412826 Canada inc. (faisant affaire sous Nish Télévision) $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

John Chabot returns to lead a new group of young Aboriginal hockey players. These top prospects will experience a camp like no other in this, the fourth season of the series. For two weeks, they will prepare to showcase their skills under the experienced tutelage of NHLers and elite hockey professionals. Who will earn tryouts on the country’s top junior teams make it to the next level? Whose dreams will come true?

Hit The Ice IV – DM 4412826 Canada inc. (faisant affaire sous Nish Télévision) $45,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Besides featuring extra video from the series, the “Hit the Ice”, website also serves as an indispensable and customisable hockey development tool for all young players to improve their game.

Konnected.tv I (1-13) PVP-DRP inc $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English, Knowledge
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Pakesso Mukash journeys through Indigenous cultures across the Americas in search of a young generation of tradition keepers – those chosen to preserve tradition cultural, and spiritual knowledge, and get others to find a place for them in today’s world. A way to witness the revival and celebration of culture.

Konnected.tv I – DM PVP-DRP inc $95,250
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English, Knowledge
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Social media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Konnected.tv lets users exchange opinions and discuss issues affecting the Aboriginal community in real-time. Similarly to Twitter or Instagram, the host and the online community will be able to share different types of material, such as photos, videos, texts and URLs. This will generate exclusive daily content labelled #konnectedtv. A search engine will help users find personally relevant information and connect with people of similar interests, either from their own community or elsewhere in the world. The ultimate goal is to share indigenous content that will touch and inspire – to “konnect” everyone.

Louis Says II (9-16) Louis Says Productions Inc. $266,404
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Saskatchewan
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

An animated children’s television series that follows the adventures of 6-year-old Randy. He helps Louis, a Cree elder, with his work. Every day Louis gives Randy a task, but there is one problem: Louis mostly speaks Cree and very little English, and Randy only speaks English. Before Randy can help anyone he has to figure out what Louis said. Unfortunately, he’s a bit impatient and tempted to go ahead without knowing the correct meaning of the Cree words. Luckily there are people in the community who can speak both Cree and English, so Randy eventually figures out how to complete his task. The new season will continue to educate and entertain as viewers tune in to see Randy’s new adventures while he learns more Cree words.

Louis Says-Learn & Play II Louis Says Productions Inc. $96,638
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Saskatchewan
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Louis Says (Learn & Play II) is an interactive appisode in English and Cree that features three interactive scenes. In the first, users will help Super Randy save his popcorn friends. User in the second will help Randy play with a hula-hoop. The third has Super Randy travel through time to meet new friends from different tribes. Every time he encounters a tribe, he will learn words in Aboriginal languages that describe the shapes that traditional hoop dancers form during the dance. At the end, Super Randy – with input from the user – will help a young traditional dancer perform the hoop dance. (For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or any Android mobile device: free from iTunes and Google Play.)

Malinaqputiit – The Searchers Kingulliit Productions Inc. $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Drama
Envelope : Nunavut Independent Television Network
Region : Nunavut
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

In the early 1900s, in the depths of winter, Uik and his teenage son return from hunting caribou to find their igloo violently pillaged. Two grandparents and a child are dead. His wife and 12-year-old daughter are gone. Raiders have attacked his peaceful Inuit family and escaped into the dark tundra with their captives. So begins Uik’s relentless search to hunt down the kidnappers and recover his family, in a brutal, bone-wearying chase under the iron grip of a frigid land and endless sky. Filmed on location in north Baffin Island’s extreme winter cold and darkness, “Malinaqputiit – the Searchers” is a thriller of love, tragedy and revenge dominated by the harshest climate on earth.

Mechif Journey (A) 6520899 Manitoba Inc. $108,751
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Manitoba
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision
The story tracks Dr. McKay’s pursuit of a post-secondary education and recounts some fundamental changes faced by Mechif speakers. McKay is curious about the history of treaties and land issues that relate to Indigenous peoples. After leaving his community, he ends up exploring treaty rights through a master’s degree and PhD in history. His role as a teacher helps focus on the importance of self-determination to Indigenous peoples, engaging those seeking to understand Mechif history – including the decline of the buffalo hunt and the improper administration of land grants for Métis families.
Mechif Journey (A) – DM 6520899 Manitoba Inc. $11,250
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Manitoba
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

The website A Mechif Journey will feature grandparents as they play traditional music, make bannock and show young people how to fish. Interviews with Indigenous artists, professionals and athletes will showcase their accomplishments. A story illustrates the Mechif language in a short, humorous lesson. Users will be encouraged to submit their own stories and culturally interesting experiences. A photo gallery will be posted with both old and current photos.

Mohawk Ironworkers I (1-13) Mushkeg Productions Inc. $380,125
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English, APTN – français
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision
Each episode in this documentary series presents a fascinating visual and moving story of the ironworkers of Kahnawake, Akwesasne and Six Nations. As they and their families face the reality of one of the world’s most dangerous jobs, the series will look at the early years of father and son on-the-job training – and travelling the continent while constructing famous buildings and bridges. Among them: the original, and new, World Trade Centres in New York City, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and now Canada’s largest bridge restoration, Montreal’s Mercier Bridge. The program will look at the personal issues and challenges workers deal with on a daily basis within the community, at home and on the job.
Mohawk Ironworkers I – DM Mushkeg Productions Inc. $82,152
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English, APTN – français
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

The companion website will augment audience experiences three distinct ways: WATCH, CELEBRATE, PLAY. The WATCH element is informational/promotional and encourages people to view the television broadcasts. The PLAY element uses a game experience to familiarize users with many of the traditional Mohawk ironworking skills in a fast-paced and entertaining way. CELEBRATE lets users quickly create a personalized tribute and take the experience offline into their home, schools or office. Both PLAY and CELEBRATE are designed to work as project endorsements once shared, either on social media or live, so they can build audience growth for re-broadcasts.

Playing with Fire II (14-26) 8173427 Canada Inc. $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Dynamic groups of veteran Aboriginal forest firefighters face immense challenges as fire destroys hundreds of square kilometres of trees and wilderness. Regardless of day-to-day goals and personal issues, crews can’t risk being distracted for an instant as raging heat and thick waves of suffocating black smoke bear down on them.

Playing with Fire II – DM 8173427 Canada Inc. $26,325
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

The second season will contain a series overview, and new or updates features such as cast profiles, an image gallery, episode index with synopses, an online survey, and exclusive web video. Also, a second “Life at the Base Camp” section that will feature diary-style posts plus images from the firefighters. The website will be linked to Twitter and Instagram accounts – which will include calls to action to watch television episodes, join a conversation about the series, drive traffic to the website for more information, and generally enhance the overall viewer experience.

Princesses (The) I (1-13) Images Pimiento Inc. $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Princesses is a documentary series exploring the evolution of standards of beauty within the Canadian First Nations taking it far from the ‘Pocahontas’ dark-skinned Barbie doll image too often shown on television and in films.  The director, Sonia Bonspille-Boileau will travel to meet all those with an opinion on the issues. Being a woman of Aboriginal origins herself, the core theme is clearly one that both fascinates and intrigues her!  Add to that the need to approach such an elusive subject with numerous different Aboriginal nations, each with its own, often- complex history, customs, tradition – and therefore, inevitably, standards of beauty.

Princesses (The) I – DM (Website) Images Pimiento Inc. $75,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Princesses is an Internet component related to the TV series that will allow users to broaden their overall experience, delving deeper into issues and topics related to the documentary series which couldn’t be covered in their entirety in the television version.

Rythme (Le) II (14-26) Trinôme Adario inc $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – français
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Rhythm II follows the quest of eight young Aboriginal musicians / singers / composers / performers age 16 to 25 on an artistic journey that leads to the recording of their first album as a group. Throughout the adventure, the group is accompanied by Samian and his team of mentors. The unique perspective of this youth documentary series allows you to discover what it means for young Indigenous people to achieve and surpass themselves. Through their examples, young viewers will discover that by working hard, doing what they love and pursuing their dreams, anything is possible!

Rythme (Le) II – MN Trinôme Adario inc $37,500
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – français
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Rhythm II is an integrated digital project that teaches users about Aboriginal culture through a website and music game where participants in the television series are centre stage. Social media play an important role by giving users access to content. Everything converges around the Rhythm concept through different approaches and a range of media.

Stories of our Elders (The) I (1-14) Kingulliit Productions Inc. $362,984
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : Nunavut Independent Television Network
Region : Nunavut
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

A mix of 2D animation with live-action footage creates an oral history (in Inuktitut) of Canada’s Inuit people. Culturally rich and visually stunning, the series portrays the most resonant characters, myths and legends – something sure to please both Inuit and non-Inuit alike.

Time Machine – DM 9118-9522 Québec Inc./Jerryco Communications $125,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : Nunavut Independent Television Network
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Downloadable
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Just as Zacharias Kunuk uses modern filmmaking to bring traditional Inuit storytelling into the 21st century, Time Machine’s innovative, digital-animation software lets this generation, and the next, bring to life Inuit mythology, legends and folklore.

underEXPOSED III (301-313) Airbear Media Inc. $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Alberta
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision
Aboriginal Grace Dove, 22, is determined to become a star action-sports photographer. Her skills need work; she doesn’t know the right people and has yet to make her first sale. She wants to focus on rising athletes, who, like her, are on their way up and looks to professional photographers like Mark Gallup for help. Grace approaches Canadian Hall of Fame dual-sport (snowboard and mountain bike) athlete Brett Tippie. He knows all the right moves, both on the mountain and in the industry. Grace, Brett and Mark provide an adrenaline-packed underEXPOSED season documenting Grace’s efforts to photograph the action-sports industry’s upcoming stars.
underEXPOSED III – DM Airbear Media Inc. $60,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Children’s & Youth
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Alberta
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Application
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Users will take photos and video with their GoPros and upload to Instagram with hashtag #underEXPOSEDtv. A viewer/user experience will be available at underEXPOSED Facebook. Also, a website will let fans instantly access a mix reel of their photos and videos (similar to the Facebook “Lookback” app) that can be shared on social media. A voting component will be integrated for most “viewed,” “likes,” and “shared.”

Urban Native Girl I (1-13) Wabunganung Film Company Ltd. $396,870
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

Lisa Charleyboy longs to transform her online offerings into a fashion and lifestyle magazine that celebrates Aboriginal urban culture. Ever since she was 10, and growing up in small and harsh British Columbia town, she has sought to become a Vogue-style fashionista. She’s already moved from a blog and Twitter sensation, to a high-traffic online magazine. The opening season follows Lisa as she tries to bring her first issue to print. She will manage her team from afar and will travel with them as well, as they assemble the magazine’s content. She introduces new team members along the way. All the while, she faces looming financial challenges, and works to sell advertising so there are funds to print the magazine, pay her employees and contractors, and sustain the business.

Urban Native Girl I – DM Wabunganung Film Company Ltd. $73,365
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Ontario
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision
The official UNG website provides a user experience based on the seamless integration of several digital media content channels, including Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter. Users will be able to comment and upload without restrictions, and at the end of each week, the editors will fashion a story out of the contributions. The edited content will be presented on the website in a magazine-style format, complete with added interviews and other pieces that shed more light on featured projects and people. By combining daily changes with interaction and a weekly story component, there will be something for users to do every day and something to look forward to every week.
Working it out Together III (21-33) Rezolution Pictures Inc. $400,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Television
Content type : N/A
Delivery Method : N/A
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision

While a health crisis sweeps through Indian Country, we learn about who is affected – along with the inspirational struggles of Aboriginal people for whom mere survival is not enough. It’s the ability to thrive with vision, persistence and community.

Working it out Together III – Website Rezolution Pictures International Inc. $15,000
Fiscal year : 2014-2015
Program : Aboriginal
Language : Aboriginal
Activity : Production
Genre : Documentary
Envelope : APTN – English
Region : Quebec
Platform : Digital Media
Content type : Rich interactive media
Delivery Method : Website
Selection Round : 1
Status : Decision
The Working It Out Together website is an extension of the thirteen-part documentary series. It examines the raging health crisis sweeping through Indian Country – who is affected, why it’s so bad and what people are doing about it – to inspire a national movement of positive change. Through the inspirational struggles of Aboriginal people who are sick of mere survival, we will learn through them what it takes to thrive.
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1 Comment To "Fifteen Projects Receive Support From The CMF Aboriginal Program"

#1 Comment By Tami Quiring (@VillageGamer) On Monday July 28, 2014 @ 3:55 am

Fifteen Projects Receive Support From The @CMF_FMC Aboriginal Program [6] #eyeoncanada