It was Crazy Horse that said, “I see a time of 7 generations when all the colours of mankind will gather under the sacred tree of life and the whole earth will become one circle again.”
Eagle Vision and APTN’s factual series 7TH GEN returns for season two with ten new episodes featuring some of the most inspiring young Indigenous leaders from across the country. The series returns for season two on APTN in English on Friday, October 13th at 8 pm (PST/ET) and on Monday, October 9th at 8:30 pm (PST/ET) and again on Tuesday, October 10th at 7:30 am (PST/ET) in Cree.
EPISODE 1: Layten Byhette from Buffalo River Dene Nation and Fond du Lac First Nations is a drag queen revelling in live drag performances that include comedy. His two-spirit constitution was grudgingly accepted by family and the indigenous community but not his drag queen obsession which caused shame amongst many until it was clear after his appearance on Canada’s Drag Queen he could be a success in life. But in this rise to possible fame he is rooted to both the indigenous and queer community. He has created a clothing line and hopes to represent queer and indigenous talent so he has not been co-opted out of the indigenous community in his search for fame.
EPISODE 2: Natasha Kanapé Fontaine an Innu from Pessamit now living in Montreal is an internationally recognized poet, actress, visual artist and performer promoting indigenous and environmental rights. The discovery of her artistic self was basically a voyage of discovery as to her familial and cultural past very much influenced by growing up partially with her grandparents. As a child she moved to Baie Comeau in Quebec and experienced aboriginal directed racism. If her poetry can cause a connection to indigenous culture so they can understand the Inuit connection to nature she has partially accomplished her mission.
EPISODE 3: Mihskakwan James Harper from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has a master’s degree in engineering and is a recognized expert in renewable energy and how indigenous beliefs and traditions can lead the way towards clean and renewable energy. He is also a staunch proponent of supporting indigenous youth on the path to clean and renewable energy. While urban raised in Edmonton and Winnipeg frequent trips to his Sturgeon Lake family ensured he never lost a deep appreciation to indigenous culture and practices particularly never take more than you need from the earth and take it with humbleness and thankfulness. To all youth he believes that as for him and all youth there will always be a supporter to get you through.
A very welcome series that builds on APTN’s recent series “Yukon Harvest”. Yes no one can escape from their history but to continually dwell on residential schools, horrific conditions in “reservations”, drug and alcohol abuse and colonization loses its impact in depressive negativity. “7th Gen” brings to the screen hope and celebration for indigenous culture.
Excuse the personal example but I lost my dog of 15 years in mid July and suffering terrible grief I was stuck on those last moments and weeks of his life driving the grief deeper. There were many happy moments with my Dylan and I see him staring at me and telling me, “Don’t you dare dwell on the last days of my life. We had a fantastic life together so think about that in my honour!”. Do you think the six generations would want the 7th Generation and Canadians to dwell on nothing but misery?
Watch the trailer here if you want a flavour for the “7th Gen” series https://vimeo.com/eaglevisioncentral/review/863332960/4e5b900f29
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 