Miniseries takes on big topic

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/09/2018 (2916 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network will next week air the widely-anticipated three-part documentary series First Contact. Hosted by veteran broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos, the show features six Canadians “all with strong opinions about Indigenous people, on a unique 28-day exploration of Indigenous Canada.”

According to the press release, the journey “will turn their lives upside down, challenging their perceptions and confronting their prejudices about a world they never imagined they would see.”

I haven’t previewed any full episodes, but have seen the trailer. I did hear a bit about the documentary during production, as Winnipeg is front and centre throughout (with community leaders such as James Favel, Michael Champagne and Bernadette Smith making appearances), but I don’t know specificities about the finished product.

So, this isn’t a spoiler.

First Contact, though, is essentially a TV show about dispelling Canadian stereotypes about Indigenous peoples.

The “strong opinions” shared by the six participants are basically that Indigenous communities get “it” all (“it” being money, free homes and education, don’t pay tax, etc.) and squander “it” irresponsibly and thanklessly.

“How are they the worst off,” one participant complains in the trailer, “when they are given so much?”

The terms “lazy,” “angry” and “drain on the system” then flash on the screen, interspersed between interviews with these six Canadians.

“It feels like it’s just a lost cause at this point,” says one.

Turns out these “strong opinions” change after the six Canadians travel – ahem, for free – to Indigenous communities in Winnipeg, Nunavut, Alberta, Northern Ontario, and British Columbia. The participants experience life on a reserve, do community work (such as walk with the volunteer community safety group Bear Clan in Winnipeg), and basically meet Indigenous peoples.

“Walk a mile in my shoes,” one Indigenous man tells the participants, “and you will understand.”

First Contact is one of those reality shows that display a “fish out of water” — only the fish are Canadians and water is, um, intolerance.

“I came here with ignorant views,” one participant states, “and, you know what? I was wrong.”

The show seems to be a direct response to the poll published by the Angus Reid Institute in June, which showed more than 60 per cent of Canadians say they have almost no contact with Indigenous peoples, and 70 per cent have never visited a reserve. The poll also found the majority of Canadians think the country spends too much time apologizing for residential schools and it’s “time to move on,” Indigenous people should have no unique status that other Canadians don’t, and Indigenous peoples would “be better off” if they integrated more into Canadian society – even if it meant traditions and culture were lost.

It remains to be seen how First Contact will be received.

The concept, however, is not new. The documentary is almost a direct transplant of a 2014 show by the same name in Australia, where six everyday non-Indigenous Australians travel to Aborigine communities to hunt and gather, witness the impacts of alcoholism and over-incarceration, and live in a two-bedroom house with a family of 15.

In the show, most of the participants changed their opinions, but two did not. One participant, who said Aborigines “burnt down” houses they were given and are mostly alcoholics, quit halfway through production.

The show sparked a national conversation in Australia and fierce debate. Almost two million viewers tuned in. The hashtag #FirstContactSBS trended worldwide. Talk shows focused on the scenes in the show for weeks afterwards.

A second series was ordered for 2016. This one featured “well-known” Australians, including a judge from Australian Idol, a Miss Universe Australia winner, and singer Natalie Imbruglia.

By this time, however, some Indigenous activists criticized the TV show for using trauma and poverty to “entertain” and educate instead of dealing with the issue. Some called it voyeuristic and tourism for “bigots.” The second series was particularly criticized by Aborigine writer Celeste Liddle in the Sydney Morning Herald, who said “Aboriginal people are the means for which ignorant white celebrities can ‘better themselves.’”

Canada’s version has Strombo, last seen on Hockey Night in Canada. Let’s hope it stops there. I certainly wouldn’t want to see a celebrity such as director James Cameron stroll up to some First Nations community and use their experiences to benefit his films, uh… oh hold on, wait… (look it up if you don’t know what I mean).

In other words, I get the criticism.

First Contact airs Sept. 11-13 on APTN.

I, for one, am looking forward to it. It’s a step towards a much-needed conversation.

If what happened in Australia is any evidence, it’s going to be an interesting 28 days.

niigaan.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca