From a media release:
NEW YEAR LAUNCH FOR BRAND NEW TV SERIES: Blackstone Begins January 2011
Prairie Dog Film + Television is pleased to announce the premiere of the original dramatic series Blackstone on two national networks in the New Year:
- APTN weekly broadcasts begin Tuesday, January 25, 9:00pm EST (check local listings)
- Showcase weekly broadcasts begin Friday, January 28, 11:00pm EST
- www.blackstonetheseries.com
ABOUT BLACKSTONE
Intense, compelling and confrontational, Blackstone is an unmuted exploration of First Nations’ power and politics, unfolding over nine one-hour episodes. This raw, authentic drama tells the story of the fictional Blackstone First Nation, suffering disintegration by its own hand – the result of the corruption of its Chief and Council. From within the community, a new generation of leaders rise up and fight to create lasting and substantial change.
“Blackstone is relevant and relational in an Aboriginal story world, with universal themes and conflicts that are not only relatable to some First Nations out there today, but also to the world of politics and power in general,†said Ron E. Scott, who created, wrote, directed and executive produced the series.
An uncompromising story told from an Aboriginal point of view, Blackstone is in sharp contrast to sympathetic stories about First Nations’ people being victimized by outside forces. While the dramatization can be dark and all too real, Blackstone is foremost a story of hope and reconciliation in its portrayal of Native people fighting for a better life in their community.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Blackstone stars the who’s who of Aboriginal talent including Carmen Moore, Eric Schweig, Michelle Thrush, Nathaniel Arcand, Roseanne Supernault and Gordon Tootoosis.
The series is produced by Edmonton’s Prairie Dog Film + Television, with Ron E. Scott as executive producer, writer and director, Jesse Szymanski as producer, Damon Vignale as producer and writer, and Gil Cardinal as writer. Blackstone was produced in association with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Showcase and Shaw Media; with the assistance of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Media Fund; with the participation of the Canadian Media Fund; with the assistance of the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit; and with the participation of Rogers Cable Network Fund.
read the province news paper, on sunday, blackstone was mentioned on page 2, which i thought first nation news never get passed 4th page, so i just had to read what it it all about, i was absolutely imppressed that there is actually going to be a show on first nations issues.they might be fictional to the writer, but to first nations people it will be so real. i am appaulled, at how chief/councillors , and band manager treat their own on the reserve i live on.
i am already a big fan of your series,blackstone, i am looking forward to watching each and every one hour session.
I grew up living in a ‘whitemans’ home.Then i moved to a ‘metis’ home.Now I live on a ‘reserve’. Not being a member here I basically have no say on issues here.So in watching ‘blackstone’I applaude the producers of this show. Finally society can ‘see’ inside reserve life.These issues are real and in fact getting worse as each day goes by.As each new chief and council get into the these ‘seats’.I have yet to see one of these ‘heads’ do good for the people they represent.All in all ‘blackstone’is the show chief and council dont want you to see but the show the government should see.Hiy Hiy!!