Going Native

Going NativeGoing Native

Check out celebrated humourist and author Drew Hayden Taylor as he explores the positive impacts of Native culture around the globe.

Director: Sam Karney

Cast: Drew Hayden Taylor
PG
Documentary & Factual
Lifestyle
Stream only in New Zealand
Season 2

Episode 1

Drew paddles into deep waters as he explores how wild-rice is harvested by canoe, how birchbark canoes are constructed the old-fashioned way, and why this vessel was a sacred and necessary invention of indigenous peoples.

Episode 2

Drew meets with two Hollywood indigenous stuntmen in Alberta, hits the pro wrestling ring with some very wild characters, and straps on the gloves and hits the mat with a native Muay Thai champ

Episode 3

Drew takes a snapshot of how indigenous peoples are uniquely framing the world with their cameras by meeting two aspiring filmmakers, a stunningly talented Inuit photographer, and goes all-in as “the actor” in an urban crime comedy.

Episode 4

Drew travels to Canada’s largest urban woodlot to meet “Sawmill Sid”, a carver transforming the urban landscape, then he visits an Inuit artist who is bringing the North south, lastly he meets a statue-maker who casts his own bronze.

Episode 5

Drew hits the ocean to witness a state-of the art ship- safety program for native youths, then sees how indigenous “controlled burns” can stop forest fires, before visiting Niagara Falls to reveal its vital link to indigenous folks.

Episode 6

Drew reveals how, for centuries, gender and sexuality has been viewed very differently by native people by taking part in a drag show, meets two talented queer street performers, and visits an aspiring political force for trans-rights.

Episode 7

Drew visits the dinosaur-bone filled Hoodoos of Alberta, meets a Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay, heads to the haunted Manitou Islands, then witnesses huge “Thunderbird Eggs” on Lake Huron, as he uncovers four incredible native legends.

Episode 8

Drew meets an indigenous “Chocolate Mould” artist, witnesses 1400 Buffalo Heads on Toronto’s lakeshore (one of the most incredible street art installations ever), and sees how losing one’s native roots can inspire beautiful pop-art.

Episode 9

Drew hits the highway with a unique Six Nations Motorcycle Club, circles the car racing dirt track with Billy Cook “The Mohawk Express”, and waxes up his surfboard with a team of Nova Scotia indigenous kids who are taking to the waves.

Episode 10

Drew visits an Anishinaabe bush-man seeking to “re-teach” his people the traditional ways of living off the land, visits Metis bush-meat gourmet in Manitoba, and goes late-night spear-fishing for salmon on a Cape Breton river.

Episode 11

Drew heads to the heart of hockey in Nova Scotia, and then to the Six Nations playing fields as he explores how indigenous peoples quite literally invented both of Canada’s National Sports: Hockey and Lacrosse.

Episode 12

Drew heads to a Mohawk First Nation on Lake Ontario that hosts one of the largest Tattoo Gatherings in Canada. There he meets dozens of native artists making their cultural marks. Then he goes on traditional indigenous hairstyle journey.

Episode 13

Drew travels to Alberta’s grasslands to witness a unique buffalo herd restoration experiment; visits indigenously-inspired “harmony with nature” architecture; and sees an incredible far-north First Nation vegetable and fruit greenhouse.

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