Animiki See Digital Productions

From a media release:

APTN audiences have been asking for an Indigenous dating show that reflects real life, and now it’s here! Rezervations for Two, produced by APTN, Animiki See Digital Production and Media Rendezvous, premieres June 15 on APTN and APTN+. To celebrate the debut, APTN is also making the first episode available on YouTube. Equal parts hilarious, heartfelt and hot mess, the series brings together lovable Indigenous singles of diverse genders, sexualities, ages and nations for a dating experience that throws the reality TV rulebook out the window.

Season 1 unfolds in Winnipeg, in the heart of Turtle Island, with dates set in and around The Forks — a gathering place for thousands of years and the perfect setting for modern Indigenous connections to take shape. From fireside chats by the river to hands-on creative dates in the central market, each meet-cute is grounded in place, history and community while still leaving plenty of room for unexpected chemistry.

At the centre of the drama (and the commentary) are iconic hosts Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano. The besties send each dater on two blind dates and then watch in real time, reacting to every awkward silence, flirty exchange and spicy pickup line with their signature “fairy god-auntie” energy. Their charm, wit and zero‑filter reactions are as much a part of the show as the dates themselves.

“We’re really excited to bring Rezervations for Two to APTN audiences,” said Crystal Dubois, APTN’s Development, Factual and Special Events Executive. “This show is about finding your forever snag and keeping it real while you do. Nothing is scripted. It’s packed with rez humour and heart, and it’s a true celebration of love in all its forms. We want Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewers alike to see us as we really are: vibrant, funny and full of life. This is us — unfiltered, unapologetic and totally fabulous.”

While reality TV continues to dominate screens, Indigenous voices are still rarely given space to be funny, raw, romantic or vulnerable on their own terms. Rezervations for Two changes that. By centring real people and real connections, the series portrays Indigenous relationships as layered, joyful and deeply human — pushing back against stereotypes and showing that there’s no single way to be Indigenous, or to experience love.

From a media release:

APTN, in association with Animiki See Digital Productions, NÃ¼man Films, and Indios Productions, announced today that it will premiere the documentary-series, FIRST CONTACT (3 X 60). A compelling exploration into Indigenous culture in Canada, the three-part series is narrated by host and social justice activist George Stroumboulopoulos and takes six Canadians, all with strong opinions about Indigenous people, on a unique 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada. It is a journey that will turn their lives upside down, challenging their perceptions and confronting their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see. This exploration will change the participantsâ€™ lives forever.

Airing on Tuesday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET, the series will continue with episode two on Wednesday, September 12 and episode three on Thursday, September 13. The second and third episodes will be followed by a two-part reunion special airing September 12 and 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Following the second episode on Wednesday, APTN will air the first of a two-part reunion special featuring three Indigenous hosts that appear in the series. James Favel (co-founder of the Bear Clan Patrol), Michael Redhead Champagne (award-winning community organizer, public speaker and Shamattawa Cree Nation member) and Bernadette Smith (MLA, Assistant Director of Wayfinders Program in the Seven Oaks School Division) will come together in front of a live Winnipeg audience to reflect on the journey of the six participants and share their goals on how all Canadians can help strengthen relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Part two of the dramatic reunion special airs after the finale on Thursday evening, and will see the six participants come together before a live studio audience, to reflect on their experience during and since their journey together.

The following six participants will leave their everyday lives behind to travel deep into Winnipeg, Nunavut, Alberta, Northern Ontario, and the coast of BC to visit Indigenous communities:

Ashley Mathieu
Age: 32
Hometown: Ottawa, ON
Occupation: Personal trainer
About: Ashleyâ€™s life has been a truly transformative journey. The daughter of a Canadian Royal Mounted Police Officer and a Portuguese immigrant mother, she was a shy little girl who got bullied throughout most of her childhood. Having been through many challenges and hard times, Ashley is an empathetic person who is interested in learning about other people before passing judgment. She is also a direct and outspoken person and believes every Canadian has a right to their own opinion and the right to express it.

Avonlea Collins
Age: 28
Hometown: Chilliwack, BC
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom
About: Avonlea has spent her life caring for others, from her brother to her young sons. Her big heart and compassion are her defining qualities. Open to learning and changing, Avonlea dreams of living overseas one day and hopes her children get a chance to learn about other cultures in the world; something she never got to do. Avonlea considers herself open to new cultures, people and environments.

Dallas Cormier
Age: 26
Hometown: Saint John, NB
Occupation: Lobster fisherman/welder
About: Outgoing and athletic from childhood, Dallas spent his adolescence playing sports and hanging out at the community centre with the same group of kids he is still friends with to this day. Dallasâ€™ parents pushed him to be someone who cared about others and he does his best to help others however he can. His mom is his role model, as she always made sure he was able to participate in activities with friends, despite a limited household income.

Donald Wright
Age: 65
Hometown: Ardrossan, AB
Occupation: Retired truck driver
About: Donald is proud to consider himself honest, with a strong work ethic and integrity. A self-proclaimed opinionated conservative, he considers that the freedom to live in a safe, clean place without war and suffering is the best thing about Canada. Heâ€™s not a fan of the current governmentâ€™s focus on diversity, though he enjoys exploring the world with his wife of 18 years.

Jamie-Sue Sykes
Age: 36
Hometown: Ingersoll, ON
Occupation: Team leader, auto manufacturing
About: Country-born and bred, Jamie-Sue loves big trucks and small-town Canada. She defies any stereotypes that go along with country life with her open-mindedness and compassionate nature. She wants to see the country do much more to help its most marginalized communities, like those suffering from addiction or mental health issues. She believes we are only as good as the way we treat those most in need.

Ross Jackson
Age: 50
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Occupation: Accountant
About: Family man Ross has his roots firmly planted in Alberta but has explored the world as well, first as a young child living in New Zealand with his family, and later as an officer in the Navy. A father of three, Ross has strong opinions and believes, that hard work and traditional Canadian values are the key to success. He expects anyone who has the opportunity to live in Canada to feel the same.

First Contact is produced by Animiki See Digital Productions, NÃ¼man Films, and Indios Productions, with the financial participation of the Canada Media Fund. Producers are Vanessa Loewen and Desiree Single for Animiki, Jeff Newman and Jocelyn Mitchell for NÃ¼man Films, and Stephanie Scott for Indios Productions. Written and Directed by Jeff Newman.

Tag Archives: Animiki See Digital Productions

Rezervations for Two brings rez humour, real chemistry and Indigenous love stories to reality TV

APTN’s First Contact premieres this September