APTN show places spotlight on Tłı̨chǫ caribou research

Tłı̨chǫ caribou researchers star in a new episode of APTN documentary series Animal Nation.

The show’s producers say the series was created in collaboration with Indigenous communities across North America and focuses on “seven iconic animals” – the bear, eagle, bison, salmon, beaver, wolf and caribou.

Episodes examine the relationships Indigenous communities have with each animal, including the environmental and cultural contexts.

“We’re bringing a lot of the missing voices and data streams that go into understanding these animals into the mainstream conversation,” said Jesse Bochner, who is Ojibway and is a producer of the series.

“These voices and information sources often get overlooked by the scientific community because they are cultural or spiritual or personal, and not what would be considered an academic science.”

In the caribou episode, producers say the work of Tłı̨chǫ researchers and Innu youth will feature. Locations in the episode include Yellowknife and MacKay Lake in the NWT alongside Pessamit in Quebec.

“It’s an important project for everyone to watch,” said Ari R Cohen, another of the show’s producers, “because it really helps us understand our place on this land and our relationship to animals.”

Cohen told Cabin Radio shooting the caribou episode was “an incredible experience.”

“The North is a wonderful, vast, amazing, beautiful place. We have tons of footage of sweeping over the landscapes and the herds and it’s just incredibly majestic,” said Bochner.

“We’re trying to include as many different voices from as many different places as possible, because obviously, caribou don’t just live in one place. They’re all over the place.”

The show’s seven-episode season airs each Thursday at 7pm ET, Cohen said. The caribou episode is set to air on Thursday, February 5. Check APTN’s broadcast schedule for more details.

“Watch with your families,” he said. “It’s a multi-generational family viewing experience.”

Bochner said he’d love to keep shooting more episodes if the chance arises. The two that follow the caribou episode involve beavers and wolves, a show that features a segment in the Yukon.

“If anybody out there has got some caribou in their backyard and they want to invite us over, we’re ready,” he said.

“We’re ready to visit your community and help share your stories, because there are many more amazing adventures out there that we’d love to be a part of.”