Carolyn Potts
In the series premiere episode of Mohawk Girls (Sunday's on Omni at 9 EST and Tuesdays on APTN at 9 EST), created and directed by Gemini Award winning (Club Native 2008) Tracey Deer, featuring executive producers Tracey Deer and Cynthia Knight is a dramedy set on a fictionalised Kahnawa:ke, ( pronounced ɡahnaˈwaːɡe ),the Mohawk reservation that is actually located south of Montreal, Quebec. This series features four single woman living on the reservation. The media has been touting the series as "Sex in the City meets 'the Rez'".The show opens with a series of short scenes introducing the viewers to our four protagonists: Bailey, Anna, Caitlin and Zoe. Down to earth Bailey (Jennifer Pudavick a Metis actress from Winnipeg Manitoba), and Rez Cop Thunder (Kyle Nobess - "Barry" from Cashing In) are caught unawares by Auntie Velma (played by Ashley Michaels). Flamboyant outsider Anna(Maika Harper from Iqaluit), newly arrived from New York is vlogging her return "home" and realising things have changed considerably since her visits with her father as a youngster. Finally we meet the loyal yet insecure Caitlin (Heather White – Mohawk/Stoney) and uptight, high achieving band lawyer Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) discussing the lack of single prospects in Kahnawa:ke. Clearly dating, the competition between women to catch a good man, and the relationships between women are going to be ongoing themes.The story picks up when Bailey decides to introduce Thunder to her father Sose (played by Glen Gould, Mi'kmaq, with previous appearances on Cashing In, Blackstone and Murdock Mysteries) only to learn from him that she and Thunder are actually second cousins. Caitlyn and Zoe rally around her and the issues of dating only Mohawk men met are met head on but in a lighthearted manner. We learn that Caitlin "hooked up" with Butterhead (played by Meegwun Fairbrother, also known for "Daniel Aerov" of Helix) which neatly establishes that "all of the men are either 'butterheads or cousins'", emphasising once again the dire state of dating on the rez. The threesome check out "MYRezLove" an online dating site and realise that Butterhead is not as bad as they originally thought.The show finally brings the newcomer into the mix as Anna brazenly walks in to Zoe's home and introduces herself to the girls. Anna's flamboyant "city" look, not to mention indulgent choice of study, sets her apart from the rest of the girls and they are quick to judge her as an outsider, setting us up for the test that will ultimately bring Anna into the fold and make our threesome into a foursome.Bailey joins up with Anna for a party in the city (Montreal) where she meets Jack (played by actor Christian Campbell with such appearance as "Ezra Kleinfelter", Elementary "We Are Everyone" and "James Frampton", Supernatural, "Man's Best Friend with Benefits") and we begin to see her dilemma; doing what she feels what is right for her people or going where her heart wants to take her. It is in this setting that Deer cleverly weaves in the racist stereotypes that FNMI people experience on a daily basis. Deer treats us to the indigenous response, effectively shutting down the traditional dominant white perspective.We return to see Caitlin primping for an evening out and we learn that Caitlin's motivation to settle for Butterhead is her desperate desire to start her own family, coupling what many women everywhere can relate to, wanting to start her own family. Again Deer cleverly links that desire with the difficulties facing Mohawk (and indigenous women everywhere); ensure the Mohawk (or insert any FNMI nation here) nation survives. The episode closes with a catfight between Caitlin and Vicky (played by Rachelle White Wind Arbez) over Butterhead, whom Caitlin has again hooked up. Zoe along with newly returned Bailey and Anna join in the fracas thus sealing the deal for Anna's membership in the foursome.It is admirable that in the introductory episode Deer tackles the controversy that has brought the real life community of Kahnawa:ke into mainstream news regarding mixed marriages. Presently if a woman marries a non-indigenous man she will be removed from the reservation. A popular slogan "if you marry out, you are out" has appeared at protests as many of the community members are concerned by both assimilation into "white" Canada and the risk of diluting the Mohawks out of existence through mixed marriages. It is going to be fun to see where Deer's passion takes us as this series grows. What do you think? Will Bailey continue to see Jack? What is next for Thunder? Will Zoe decide to meet a man through the online dating site? Let me know your thoughts.
Littlehoneyflower
Mohawk Girls is fun, funny, and well done! I am not aboriginal, but I love shows with independent female characters, especially when Canadian made. The focus of Mohawk Girls is a group of friends who are navigating the complexities of young life, within the framework of a Mohawk community. The women face challenges shared by any person living in a small community who is looking for more. Stay close to your roots, or leave the nest? Mohawk Girls has a Being Erica feel, but much more realistic and down-to-earth. I can't speak to the representation of aboriginal life, but it feels true to mine as a young person just trying to figure things out.
