From a media release:
APTN and OMNI Television Greenlight Edgy New Series, Mohawk Girls
- Six-part series produced by Montreal-based Rezolution Pictures
- Start of production slated for spring 2013 in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec
- Cast includes Glen Gould (Cashing In) and Ashley Michaels (Snare)
APTN and OMNI Television announced today a partnership to greenlight the new co-production, Mohawk Girls. Produced by Montreal-based Rezolution Pictures, the six episode, 30-minute ‘dramedy’ series is slated to start production in spring 2013 in the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, in Quebec. In addition to its English broadcasts on both networks, the series will also air in Mohawk on APTN and in Mandarin on OMNI Television. Further production and broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
Mohawk Girls is a half-hour ‘dramedy’ about four, sexy, twentysomethings trying to figure out what it means to be a modern day Mohawk woman. But with their parents, friends, and community having an opinion on how they should live their lives, it seems like an impossible task.
The cast features Glen Gould (Cashing In), Ashley Michaels (Snare), Kaniehtiio Horn (18 to Life), Kyle Nobess (Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil), and Rachelle White Wind (Moccasin Flats). New Canadian talent Brittany LeBorgne, Heather White, and Maika Harper also join the cast.
“OMNI Television is proud to profile diverse communities across Canada through its originally produced programming,” said Madeline Ziniak, National Vice-President, OMNI Television. “Mohawk Girls examines aboriginal contemporary life and values by exploring and sharing its realities in a very clever and entertaining way.”
“APTN is proud to partner in this exciting project that provides the opportunity for fresh, new voices that are true to our mission of sharing the stories of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada” said Jean LaRose, CEO of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. “Mohawk Girls is a fitting example of a youthful perspective and fresh insight into what it means to be a young Aboriginal woman living in the 21st century.”
Created by Gemini Award-winning writer Tracey Deer, Mohawk Girls was inspired by Deer’s 2005 acclaimed feature-length documentary of the same name about the trials and tribulations of teenage girls growing up on the Mohawk reserve of Kahnawake.
Filmed in 2010, the pilot for Mohawk Girls was selected during the 2010 Cannes Film Festival to be a finalist in the first-ever International Pilots Competition at the Banff World Television Festival.
“From the creator to the cast, this series represents a new wave in Aboriginal talent,” said Rezolution Producer Christina Fon. “The series is about dealing with cultural obligations, social pressures, and deciding who you want to be as an adult. Those issues resonate with people from every ethnicity and background.”
Mohawk Girls is directed by Gemini Award-winning Deer who also serves as executive producer. Cynthia Knight is the series showrunner. Executive producers for Rezolution Pictures are Catherine Bainbridge, Christina Fon, Linda Ludwick and Ernest Webb.
