Postcards from the Rez

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Postcards from the Rez WORLD PREMIERE! 03.22.08 //

After an intense few months, the HD version of Postcards from the Rez is ready to premiere on APTN on April 14th at 5:00pm ET/PT followed by repeats during the week. Please note that episode one will also run the week of May 5th. The first airing is scheduled for May 5th at 3pm ET/PT and repeats during the week. For more information check your local listings, or visit www.aptn.ca.

Click a Scene Selection for a brief preview01.11.08 //

[Every journey begins with one single step...]

[It's a family affair...]

[Back to work...]

[The sunrise ceremony...]


Synopsis 28.05.07 //

The journey begins in episode one when Randy and Russ Arsenault, two aboriginal brothers who also happen to be contractors, travel just outside of London Ontario to the Chippewa’s of the Thames reserve. Once there, they will meet a family of nine living in a tiny dilapidated house. Together, with the help of residents from the reserve, the two brothers will give this family, who has experienced extreme hardships, a second chance at happiness. The brothers will give them a house that they will be proud to call ‘home’.

In the process Randy and Russ will reconnect with their own history as they embrace what their Aboriginal heritage means to them. This is significant because it’s only in the last few years that they’ve been really curious and eager to learn more about who they are and where they come from.

Postcards from the Rez will shine a positive light on the Aboriginal community of Canada by offering viewers a hip, unique and informative perspective on the rich and colourful culture of First Nations people.
Each episode will conclude with one of the brothers re-capping what they have just gone through by writing those thoughts down onto a postcard. Through a voice-over, we will hear about what he has learned and how he has been affected by the whole experience.

At the heart of it, those experiences are what matter most because as they say, life is about the journey, not the destination.

Episode One - The Thames Reserve 11.06.07 //Status: Complete!

The current living conditions -Two adults and seven children are living in a tiny run down house. There is mold eating away at existing studs and drywall, the stairs are slowly losing their support and the clutter, due to lack of space, is making it difficult to move around. Aside from major safety concerns for the children, the current condition is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mold.

Our plan -Remove existing walls and staircases, have existing mold treated and removed, repair damaged window frames, doors, and light fixtures. Once everything is rebuilt and repaired we'll give it a fresh coat of paint and see what we can do about creating some space savers to decrease clutter and increase storage capacity. We would also like to landscape the front and back of the house, create an outside sitting area for the family, as well as provide them with some new and modern furniture and home appliances. As it stands, some of the children have to share a bed in an already cramped room which is why we are looking into providing them with bunk beds. We have approached some very important sponsors who have shown a major interest in wanting to be a part of this project. Stay tuned!