Tag Archives: Queen of the Oil Patch

Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Thunderbird Entertainment and APTN announce second season for Queen of the Oil Patch

From a media release:

Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV:TBRD) (“Thunderbird” or the “Company”),  is excited to announce a second season of  the hit series Queen of the Oil Patch, has been ordered by national broadcaster APTN. The critically acclaimed documentary series is produced by Thunderbird, a global multiplatform entertainment company, in collaboration with Kah-Kitowak Films. Production is now underway in Fort McMurray, Alberta, and the Mikisew Cree First Nation.

Queen of the Oil Patch received strong reviews for its groundbreaking coverage of the inspirational journey of one man with two spirits – Massey Whiteknife and Iceis Rain. Whiteknife is an openly gay Indigenous entrepreneur. After his multi-million-dollar oil empire in Fort McMurray was devastated by the collapse of oil prices and the 2016 wildfires, Whiteknife worked to rebuild his life with the help of his other spirit, Iceis Rain, a fearless female pop singer and anti-bullying advocate.

The first season of Queen of the Oil Patch was nominated for Best Writing in a Factual Series at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards, and Best Screenwriting in a Documentary Series at the 2019 Leo Awards. It was also well received by critics, with John Doyle of The Globe and Mail writing: “Queen of the Oil Patch is…truly distinct, about a true original. And truly inspiring. This is wonderful TV.” Additionally, Rachna Raj Kaur from NOW Toronto called it “a great entryway into the life of a man breaking down boundaries, but also an insightful look into a community unseen on mainstream TV.”

Queen of the Oil Patch Season Two will air in Fall 2020, and will feature eight episodes.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: APTN’s Queen of the Oil Patch is the story of triumph and acceptance

Until a screener landed in my inbox, I wasn’t sure what Queen of the Oil Patch was going to be about. According to the press release, the documentary series, debuting Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET on APTN, tells the tale of Fort McKay resident Massey Whiteknife and his alter ego, Iceis Rain. Whiteknife’s business empire was shattered when oil prices took a tumble followed by fire sweeping through nearby Fort MacMurray. Cameras capture Whiteknife as he attempts to get back on his economic feet.

But Queen of the Oil Patch is so much more than that.

When we catch up with Whiteknife, he shows off his two businesses in Fort Mac, Tatonka North Contracting, a construction company and Iceis Safety, a full-service occupational health and safety consulting business. But at night, Whiteknife becomes someone else … Iceis Rain. Iceis is a critically-acclaimed recording artist, booking dates across the country, and was nominated at the 2014 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, where she also performed. She’s also an anti-bullying advocate, speaks to suicide prevention and has a wicked wiggle.

Whiteknife’s plan? To spend a year transitioning fully into Iceis Rain. How will that go over in Fort Mac? Will being a woman ruin his day-to-day business? Whiteknife is willing to take that chance to be who he is.

Kah-Kitowak Films, a Vancouver-based production company that works in partnership with Great Pacific Media, has captured something really special in Queen of the Oil Patch. Métis producer-director Neil Grahn and producers Kelly McClughan and Mark Miller have gained the trust of their subject. The result is an intimate, honest portrait of a person who is passionate about what they do and wants to help their fellow First Nations people find full-time jobs while becoming who they truly want to be.

It’s inspiring, meaningful and riveting stuff. Don’t miss it.

Queen of the Oil Patch airs Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET on APTN.

Image courtesy of Great Pacific Media.

 

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Great Pacific Media announces “Queen of the Oil Patch” on APTN

From a media release:

Great Pacific Media is pleased to announce the release of APTN’s Queen of the Oil Patch. The documentary series follows the incredible LIVES of one man and Two Spirits… Massey Whiteknife and Iceis Rain. The eight-episode, half-hour series premieres on Tuesday, June 5 on APTN East and HD at 10:30 p.m. ET, APTN West at 10:30 p.m. MT and on APTN North at 4:30 a.m. CT.

Massey Whiteknife is an Indigenous entrepreneur from the Mikisew Cree First Nation who has built a million-dollar empire in the toughest town in Canada… Fort McMurray. In northern Alberta, most men are measured by grit, strength, thick skin, and courage. And Massey has more of that than most, he is, after all, the undisputed “Queen of the Oil Patch.”

As an openly gay man, Massey has won the hearts of thousands in northern Alberta. His determination has built a business empire that was once worth millions. But, the collapse of oil prices and a heartbreaking fire took all of that away. Where others were crushed by the double hit, Massey has vowed to dig deep inside, and rebuild his life with a little help from Iceis Rain, his courageous second spirit.

With nothing left to lose, Iceis Rain has emerged as the powerful, fearless alter ego and Fort McMurray’s reigning Queen. When Iceis puts on her makeup and dress, she instantly transforms into a woman of boundless courage. Iceis is a critically acclaimed recording artist, booking dates across the country, and was nominated at the 2014 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, where she also performed. One person, one body, two very different identities. Massey runs the business while Iceis rules the night. It is a tough job juggling that much personality and Massey knows he has to make a choice; continue the double life, or choose to become Iceis forever. Hard questions for anyone, but balancing family and Indigenous tradition, while working in the male-dominated world of oil rigs, may be downright impossible.

Queen of the Oil Patch is a series about a man seeking happiness and acceptance. It’s about family, love, and compassion. It’s about community and courage. It is a series that will leave you feeling inspired.

Produced by Métis Director, Neil Grahn, Kelly McClughan, and Mark Miller, the concept was developed by Kah-Kitowak Films in partnership with APTN.

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