Project Down2Earth

Vancouver – Aarrow Productions Inc., producers of the environmental documentary series
Down2Earth, will be honouring Aboriginal environmental leaders in British Columbia, at a special media event and reception, Monday, June 21 – National Aboriginal Day – from 2pm to 4pm at C Restaurant (1600 Howe Street) in downtown Vancouver.

Down2Earth, already a hit with Canadian audiences since its TV premiere in March 2010 on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), takes audiences on a global search for Indigenous solutions to man-made environmental problems. The acclaimed series will be officially launched at the event on June 21 for a worldwide audience via Project Down2Earth.

The TV series, hosted by Cree musician and television host Art Napoleon (The New Canoe), features stunning visuals of natural environments in Canada, the USA and Central America and engaging and informative conversations with Indigenous guests.

Each of Down2Earth’s 13 episodes visits a different Canadian or international locale to meet Indigenous peoples who are taking action against environmental change in their community. These groups and individuals share their traditional knowledge and demonstrate how they are adapting it to repair, improve and solve the environmental predicaments that are threatening their communities and territories.

“We are honoured to be able to share these compelling stories with the world,” explains Barbara Hager, Down2Earth’s Producer, Writer and Director. “When we began our early research, we were amazed at the number of Indigenous peoples integrating traditional stewardship and sustainability values into highly efficient social, economic and environmental programs. We hope that by raising public awareness about these initiatives, we are helping to create models for the rest of the world to learn from and follow.”

Among those initiatives highlighted in the program’s first season are:

Episode #101 Building a Solar Community (T’Sou-ke First Nation, Sooke, BC)
The T’Sou-ke First Nation on Vancouver Island is one of the largest solar energy producing (per capita) communities in Canada. Art Napoleon meets with T’Sou-ke leaders, elders and youth to find out how this small community of 200 people became so energy conscious.

Episode #104 Land Stewardship (Tsleil Waututh Nation, North Vancouver)
The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation is one of three First Nations whose traditional territory is located within the borders of one of Canada’s largest cities. Only a few kilometers from the village is the vast Indian Arm watershed that is the home to elk, deer, bear, salmon, eagle and many other species. The Tsleil- Waututh people co-manage a provincial park, restore salmon streams and maintain forestland in this region. Art meets Iggy George, a respected Elder, who shares stories about life in the region before the industrialization of Vancouver’s waterway.

The afternoon event will be attended by Down2Earth’s cast and production crew, as well as several distinguished Aboriginal and environmental leaders who are featured in the series, and who support Down2Earth’s efforts to promote Indigenous environmental initiatives, including:

• Barbara Hager, Writer, Producer and Director of the series
• Alfred Waugh, Architect, from the Chipewyan First Nation in the North West Territories
• Eli Enns, member of the Tla-o-qui-aht Nation in Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island
• Cease Wyss, from Squamish Nation
• Representatives of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation in North Vancouver

The location for the media launch and reception is particularly fitting as C Restaurant ) is featured in the series for their work with the Huu-ay-aht First Nation to rebuild the wild and cultivated stocks of the endangered pinto abalone.