Creative Natives get the noms

Indigenous media is one to watch at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards (CSA), with the nomination list announced this week featuring several nods to Indigenous-led productions.

Angie Pepper-O’Bomsawin’s production company Kasko, which she co-founded with her partner Angélique Richer was recognized with a nomination in the Best Writing, Factual category.

O’Bomsawin was nominated alongside Vincenzo Giannelli for her writing in documentary series Little Big Community – the series was also recognized with nominations for its previous two series in past years. She was also the producer and director on the episode, which focuses on Kitigan Zibi.

“This really allows us to celebrate our work. The great thing about the CSAs is that we all work on multiple projects, so it’s kind of like a reunion with all the people you’ve worked with over the years,” she said. “It’s always a great time, it’s always an honour just to get nominated.”

O’Bomsawin is also a writer for Chuck and the First Peoples Kitchen – season six of that show, which is an Andicha Media production and produced by Simon Villeneuve is nominated in the Best Lifestyle Program or Series category.

Also heading up the awards is North of North, a CBC and APTN production that has secured 20 nominations. The series takes place in Nunavut, centring around the story of a young Inuk mother.

“The presence of Indigenous people at the CSA today compared to when I started this career is exciting. When I started there was none, or there was very, very few,” O’Bomsawin said. “Today, creative Natives as I call them are really taking centre stage. When I see 20 nominations for one show, I’m just so excited.”

The final night of the CSA will take place on May 31, where winners will be announced at a ceremony in Toronto.

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