You may have seen a professional film crew in Rama over several weeks last summer and wondered what was going on.
If you tune into APTN May 18, you will find out.
That’s when the second series of Tribal Police Files, which puts the spotlight on the Rama Police Service, premieres.
The 13 half-hour episodes were shot in Rama First Nation last year and focus on the Chippewa community east of Orillia.
“(The series) take us into the heart-stopping and challenging world of the officers with the Rama Police Service,” said a media release.
The series is the brainchild of Steve Sxwithul’txw, a First Nations director, producer and executive producer who operates Kwassen Productions Inc.
Sxwithul’txw is a multiple Leo Award-winning host of the television series Warrior Games. He’s also a former police officer from B.C., which gives him a unique perspective.
The show does not follow the blueprint of the Cops series that is popular in the United States. While there is an element of that action, its focus is broader, says Sxwithul’txw.
“What I know is that police officers are probably the most under-appreciated people among first responders, so it’s really important for me to show and highlight First Nations police officers and what they do on a daily basis,” Sxwithul’txw told OrilliaMatters last year.
“There’s a certain way to deal with our own people … There’s a reason why there’s First Nations policing across the country because some of the other services that were out there were not giving First Nations people the services they need.”
So, while the show will have lots of action, there will also be time and effort invested into showcasing the culture of Rama.
That means talking to elders and youths about the community, highlighting important festivities and events and “intertwining that with the action we find in Rama,” said Sxwithul’txw. “It’s important to understand this is a cultural show for us.”
Rama Police Insp. Tom Batisse said officers jumped at the opportunity to participate in the show.
“Working in a proud and progressive community, we are extremely excited to have the opportunity to showcase our Indigenous police service through the lens of the show, Tribal Police Files,” said Batisse.
“The viewers will have an opportunity to see firsthand the great work and dedication of those officers working for the Rama Police.”
The film company was in Rama last April and then returned for two-week stints in June, July and August.
In all, they were in Rama for 43 days of shooting.
For more information about the series, visit the show's website.
