May 19, 2022—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 15
New documentary begins production in Ahousaht Ocean Warriors TV series looks into Ahousaht’s involvement with the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary By Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahousaht, BC – Award-winning Indigenous producer and director Steve Sxwithhul’txw was in Ahousaht during the first week of May shooting a new documentary focussing on the life-saving work of four Vancouver Island First Nations as Canadian Coast Guard auxiliaries. According to IMDb, Sxwithhul’txw (Swee-thult) is a former police officer and member of the Penelakut First Nation. He went back to school to study broadcast journalism and launched Kwassen Productions. He told Ha-Shilth-Sa that he also has roots in Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Nations. Sxwithhul’txw is pleased to announce the start of his latest project, Ocean Warriors ~ Mission Ready, a new documentary TV series on APTN and CHEK. It follows four First Nations on the B.C. coast that have joined together to form the independent Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary. Sxwithhul’txw said he first heard of the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary through a friend, Conrad Cowan, who helped develop the program. “There are amazing people here that put their lives on the line to rescue people,” said Sxwithhul’txw, adding that they don’t want anything, they don’t ask for anything and they don’t want to be called heroes. But the work they’ve done together, saving people’s lives on the rugged west coast, can only be described as heroic. “These are highly trained Indigenous men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for any emergency in their territory along B.C.’s rugged coastline,” reads a press release. Ahousaht elected Chief Greg Louie says the production crew arrived in Ahousaht during the first week of May and have been interviewing people who have been involved in search and rescue opera-
Submitted photo
Kwassen Productions was in Ahousaht during the first week of May shooting a new documentary focussing on the life-saving work of four Vancouver Island First Nations as Canadian Coast Guard auxiliaries. tions conducted by the community over Louie says Ahousaht people are very excited to highlight to our viewers,” the years. Most notable was Ahousaht’s humble, never bragging about the efforts said Sxwithul’txw. “The beauty of these response to the Leviathan II, a whale they put into rescues. territories and communities cannot be watching boat that sank in October 2015, “We just pull together to help in any measured. We are so grateful for this opwhere 25 people were rescued and two way we can,” he added. portunity.” perished. According to Louie the film crew spent He thanks Ahousaht for their gracious “They (film makers) heard of the a day taking photos and film clips of welcome. Ahousaht response to distress calls and imagery around the village, then in“It’s been amazing,” he said of his visit how we pull together in an emergency, terviewed people. A day will be spent to the village. whether it be boats, airplanes or missing interviewing children and filming them Ocean Warriors ~ Mission Ready hikers,” said Louie. as they prepare for their annual school is a 13-episode series involving the While in Ahousaht the film crew shot potlatch. Ahousaht, Quatsino, ‘Namgis, and a mock rescue for the documentary, but Sxwithhul’txw says his documentary is Heiltsuk First Nations and their work as it wasn’t long before they got to witness not only about the search and rescue efCoastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary. a real-life emergency response. People forts from First Nations communities, but Sxwithul’txw promised to take the viewer went out in boats, on quads and on foot also the way of life. That is why his crew deep into the four First Nation communito search for a resident in distress on one took the time to film the children working ties where men and women train and preof the remote beaches of Flores Island. on cultural activities at school and in the pare for the time they will be called upon That situation ended well, with the person village parks. to respond to a “PAN-PAN” emergency located and brought home safely. Louie notes that while some are shy call for help. when it comes to filmed interviews, he “Ocean Warriors is a series about hope said many are happy that people are takand heroism, tragedy and heartbreak,” ing notice of the success stories. said the producers in a media statement. “From these incidents, we’ve had meet“The training and deep community conings with government and have signed an nections will help ensure the success beMOU with the Canadian Coast Guard,” hind the men and women of the Coastal said Louie. Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary.” From these discussions came imOcean Warriors is produced with the proved cellular service in the village and support of the Canada Media Fund, Ahousaht’s own dedicated search and APTN, CHEK Media, and Rogers Merescue boat. dia. The first of the 13 half-hour series “Having this chance to showcase the is expected to be released in late 2022 or work of these volunteer SAR rescuers early 2023. is something as a producer I am very
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