All posts by Carolyn Potts

Teacher. Writer. Mom. Masters' Candidate, Faculty of Education, Western University. Studying Pop Culture Media as a Decolonizer of Education Policy and Practice. I also volunteer as a Girl Guide leader in my spare time.
Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Mohawk Ironworkers in the aftermath of 9/11

Part 2 of the 9/11 story on APTN’s Mohawk Ironworkers continues tonight with the stories of three Mohawk men and their experiences following the collapse of the World Trade Center: John McGowan and Jaysen Mayo of Kahnawa:ke, and Brad Bonaparte of Akwesasne.

We first met John McGowen, a third generation ironworker, last week. John spent three and a half months at Ground Zero and since then has suffered from many maladies including asthma, sleep apnea, and acid reflux, all of which can be linked directly to his experiences there. Despite this, he continues to work and was one of several Mohawk ironworkers who built One World.

Jaysen Mayo was also a part of the rescue, recovery and cleanup at Ground Zero. To this day, he can recall the horrors he faced following the collapse.  As a result of his exposure to the various toxins during the cleanup, Jaysen suffers from decreased lung capacity and an auto-immune disease that requires monthly blood transfusions.

Brad Bonaparte of Akwesasne lost his life to cancer as a result of his exposure. His children share their memories of their father’s work at the WTC. The premature loss of Brad was also a significant loss to his community: Brad was a well-respected artist and storyteller, passionate about Mohawk teachings. Many of his steel creations mark the Akwesasne territory.

This episode goes on to reveal the abysmal lack of support workers initially received from the local, state, and federal governments in the U.S. First responders.  As well, ironworkers had no warnings regarding the toxic contaminants that were present at Ground Zero, nor were they supplied the proper protective gear that would have safeguarded them from harm.  It took two months for the U.S. government to implement a worksite safety plan for workers. This was too little and too late for an estimated 40,000 workers who had already been repeatedly exposed.

Having just marked the 15th anniversary of 9/11, this episode was rather touching. Here we met just a few of the heroes and their families, and we learned of some of their sacrifices in the infernal aftermath. A most appropriate tribute.

Mohawk Ironworkers airs Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Featured, Four in the Morning

Four in the Morning: Porcine “Fallacy” of Errors — The Comedy

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It seems this week’s theme of Four in the Morning is asking us why many people today are so cavalier in their relationships. Friends come, friends go; relationships have in a sense become disposable. However, “one way or another, everyone gets their blowback.”

We jump right in with William (Mazin Elsadig) and Mitzi (Lola Tash), two halves from two different wholes, sharing a late-night meal at The Patrician when William’s parents appear, declaring they are disowning him. Just like that, a biological connection is legally severed with a simple signature, and yet William does not appear bothered at all.

Now, if you recall at the close of Episode 1 , we learned that—on his deathbed—Albert the talking pig revealed to Mitzi that Jamie and Bondurant slept together, setting the stage for some dramatic irony. With that in mind…

Bondurant (Daniel Maslany) is at the hospital; he has lost his blow, and will miss an audition as a result. It is Jamie (Michelle Mylett), not Mitzi, who rushes to his side. Bondurant is diagnosed with “Trick Candle Syndrome,” a psychosomatic disorder, necessitating a visit from the on-call psychiatric resident. He is unwittingly treated by her daughter playing dress-up, but the wisdom of a child’s innocence brings clarity for Bondurant; he should not be lying to avoid intimacy. In the end, Bondurant recants his proclamation of love for Jamie and declares that he is indeed in love with Mitzi.

Meanwhile, Mitzi shares Albert’s revelation with William. Suddenly, William views his relationship with Jamie in a different light, already emotionally distancing himself from her. After a few long monologues we cut to Mitzi experiencing a sexlucinatory episode  and we finally meet  Albert the talking pig! He comes clean: after all who can believe a pig on magic beans?!? Bondurant it seems was simply trying to make the oh-so cavalier Mitzi jealous. The joke, however, is on Mitzi and William. They both assumed the worst of their partners based on the word of a pig and had sex behind Bondurant’s and Jamie’s backs.

I still really love Four in the Morning, but it really struck me in this episode that I do not yet have empathy for any of these characters; no emotional connection at all. They just happen to be fun to be around. But, after some thought and in light of the theme explored tonight, perhaps that is a deliberate choice for creator Ira Parker? Perhaps the point is I am to be invested in the journey rather than care about who is travelling with me. Relationships here, in this environment, can be tossed away easily and we, and our four protagonists, deliberately avoid investing ourselves/themselves in personal relationships. But to what ends?

I do have one complaint, however. NO one looks this good at 4 in the morning, except perhaps flight attendants.

What do you think is next for our foursome? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Four In the Morning airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on CBC.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

APTN’s Taken shines a light on missing and murdered Indigenous women

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In the series premiere of Taken, hosted by Lisa Meeches, we revisit the case that shocked Canada, raising awareness for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in mainstream media: Tina Fontaine.

Tina was a 15-year-old with a sweet little baby face, remembered by her teachers to be compassionate and loving. She was also brutally murdered, her body dumped in The Red River with the intention it never be found. However, because of its brutality, it was Tina Fontaine’s case that galvanised the nation. Sergeant John O’Donovan, Winnipeg Police Service, makes a sad observation that puts this into perspective: “I think society would be horrified if we found a litter of kittens or pups in the river in this condition. This is a child. Society should be horrified.”

Thelma Favel, Tina’s great aunt who raised Tina until she left Sagkeeng to reconnect with her estranged mother in Winnipeg, shares many stories that bring the face we know from the news to life. The storytelling is aided by re-enactments in the locations where Tina was known to frequent.

This initial episode of Taken also highlights the systemic abuse and racism present in Canada today. Policies put in place throughout the country’s history have promoted these vulnerable circumstances for Indigenous women. Craig Benjamin of Amnesty International explains, “this violence is a symptom of a much larger problem than was displayed in the Residential Schools. It is a pattern of discrimination that has played out in policy in a thousand minute every day ways as well.”

This is a serious program, not meant for entertainment but to inform. Care has definitely been taken to ensure Tina’s story is treated with the respect it deserves. However, due to the sheer number of cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women and children, Taken may trigger difficult emotions for some viewers.

I have two main concerns with this show, co-commissioned between APTN and CBC. First, CBC has yet to slot the series into their schedule. This is an investigative  documentary series showcasing ongoing investigations. Each episode opens and closes with a request for information. Would it not be judicious to broadcast this to the widest audience possible in the timeliest of manners? Over time, information and leads dry up, memories can fade, evidence can be compromised, all of which can weaken the Crown’s Disclosure in the court of law. And yet CBC is not airing in conjunction with APTN’s broadcast.

My second concern relates to how Tina was initially presented in this episode. Tina was a little girl, she was not just one more murdered Indigenous child. She was a child with family and friends and hobbies. Often, we forget who the person was and they are seen only as a victim. We did learn about Tina the child, but that came later in the program. I would have preferred to get to know the child so I could grieve the loss of her.

If you do have any information about the Tina Fontaine case you are urged to contact either the authorities or Taken.

Taken airs Fridays at 7 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

APTN’s Wild Archaeology entertains and educates

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Dr. Rudy Reimer of Simon Fraser University provides the context of APTN’s Wild Archaeology in the cold open. He is establishing a bridge of understanding between settler nation knowledge and traditional Indigenous knowledge.

Settlers, or mainstream society, demands scientific or documented proof in order for knowledge to have any value or basis. However,  knowledge in Indigenous culture is passed through oral history and storytelling.

Dr. Reimer immediately states, after he introduces himself in the traditional way, “Early on it struck me, what my grandfather and grandma told me in the stories they told me, that were passed down to them, they were actually true, because I saw the physical evidence through the artifacts, in the very locations in the mountains they were pointing to when they told me their stories.” He is taking the traditional knowledge and using it to find the scientific proof! And, we get to go along!

In the premiere episode, hosts Jacob Pratt and Jenifer Brousseau—along with Dr. Reimer—travel into the high country of Squamish Nation, B.C., 2,000 metres above sea level and far above the tree line. Dr. Reimer has learned from local Squamish Elders of a site he had yet to explore for ancient artifacts.

We follow their hike and experience the stunning scenery of Squamish Nation in their quest to find their physical proof and discover the pictograph of a Thunderbird drawn on the side of a mountain. With the aid of animation, Dr. Reimer shares the story of the Thunderbird as told to him by his grandparents. We learn, through the shared discussions, of the similarities between traditional stories despite vast geographical distances.

Their quest continues in search of the obsidian artifacts in connection to the stories of the Thunderbird. Dr. Reimer demonstrates a few archaeological techniques in their pursuit, and eventually Jenifer finds a significant artifact. The obsidian samples found date back more than 6,000 years.

I have to be honest, I was really surprised by Wild Archaeology. This was not at all what I was expecting in a docu-series. If every episode is as strong as this introductory one, this will be a fantastic mechanism to drive home the power Indigenous knowledge keepers have. The message is clear: there is a real need to engage young people today with the knowledge contained in oral histories. Wild Archaeology explores those connections, between traditional knowledge and science, something that is key to reconciliation between cultures.

As a teacher, I urge parents to sit down with your children and watch! You will learn about the rich history and geography Canada has to offer and all of you will be entertained!

Wild Archaeology airs Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. ET on APTN.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Mohawk Ironworkers recalls The World Trade Center and 9/11

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As we are approaching the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 disaster, it is appropriate APTN’s Mohawk Ironworkers begins with stories of the World Trade Centre.

I have a number of friends from New York, and one who worked at  Ground Zero mere days after 9/11. When I mentioned this episode to him he said, “They [the Ironworkers] walked into the hazards side by side with firefighters and cops without hesitation. There were lives to save. A job to do.” He calls them heroes.

Peter J. Stacey, Randy J. Horn and Chris Beauvais  from Kahnawa:ke, and Bill Sears from Ahkwesahsne (who claims to be the infamous “Moon Over Manhattan”) are featured in the first segment of the debut. All were involved in the building of the original twin towers and recount their experiences during the construction, sharing a number of entertaining anecdotes. They also share grief following the destruction of the towers. For them, the loss was incredibly personal.

Chris Beauvais, who spent four long months on the cleanup and recovery, was one of the first on site following the collapse. He had been working nearby on another building at the time and explains, “All of the ironworkers went down there. That’s our job. It’s iron and we know how to play with it.”

In the third and final segment, we visit with Preston Horn, Kevin McComber and John McGowen, all from Kahnawa:ke. All three are currently working on the New World Trade Center and speak of their pride in the brotherhood of Mohawk ironworkers, and of being a part of the construction of World One.

The episode also gives a brief overview of the construction of the towers and describes the many innovative techniques that were unique to the construction of the original World Trade Center.

This was a good start to the series, demonstrating the long connection Mohawks have had with the skyline of New York City.  As we are approaching the eve of the anniversary, I would like to close simply with one other thought that my friend shared: “To those iron workers who waded into the horrors with all of us first responders … thank you.”

Mohawk Ironworkers airs Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET on APTN.

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