Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

Casting call extended for Aboriginal documentary series

Jul 5, 2016 | 5:00 PM

A new documentary taking First Nation, Inuit and Metis men and women on a 21-day adventure is looking for more participants.

Each day, actors on Merchants of the Wild will learn how to make clothing, prepare food and navigate by the stars under the instruction of Oji-Cree elders.

“We want to try and help people reconnect with their culture,” director Daniel Fortin said.

The casting call is open for any First Nation, Inuit or Metis person age 18 to 34. Acting experience isn’t required “just a desire to learn to live out in the wild in Ontario and the Indigenous culture of Canada,” Fortin said.

Those interested in auditioning are encouraged to email a 30 to 60 second video explaining who they are, their interest in being on the show and any experience they may have to casting@merchantsofthewild.com.

The ability to speak Oji-Cree is considered an asset but not essential.

The deadline to audition has been postponed from June 30 to July 10 to allow time for remote communities to submit their audition tapes. Those on the shortlist for the show will be requested to send another video in with more information.

Three men and women from across Canada will star in the show. It’s expected to start shooting in Sept.

 

Colton Swiderski is meadowlakeNOW’s municipal affairs, crime and court, health and education reporter. He can be reached at cswiderski@jpbg.ca or tweet him @coltonswiderski. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.