Ocean Warriors: New Show Spurs Growth in Indigenous Rescue Units

The second season of Ocean Warriors: Mission Ready is set to have a significant impact on remote coastal communities in Canada. According to James Wallas, a member of the Quatsino First Nation, the series highlights the work of the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary (CN-CGA), Canada’s first Indigenous-led volunteer marine search and rescue organization. Since the first season aired in 2024, the auxiliary has expanded to include 11 Nations that now have auxiliary units.

Wallas noted that several of these Nations joined the CN-CGA in the past two years, following the show’s initial success. He believes the visibility provided by the series encourages communities to establish their own search and rescue units, ultimately aiming to enhance safety in coastal waters. Furthermore, the initiative aims to create opportunities for Indigenous youth to reconnect with traditional waterways and acquire valuable skills.

Fostering Collaboration Among Nations

The show has fostered collaboration among Coast Nations that previously had limited interaction. Wallas remarked, “It’s brought Nations together that usually don’t come together just either by distance or politics or just any number of things.” He experienced this firsthand when he invited crew members from neighboring Nations to participate in the show. The production team included them as live actors, allowing them to train together and share stories about their communities.

Wallas emphasized that the series also provides a platform for reconnecting younger generations with their ancestral knowledge. He explained, “It helps us, the Nations, return to the water.” There has been a growing trend where youth gravitate towards land-based careers, but Ocean Warriors illustrates that opportunities exist in marine occupations, including vessel operation and navigation.

The show’s commitment to cultural representation is noteworthy. It features extensive collaboration with elders from various communities, who provide voice-over work in both Nisga’a and Kwak’wala languages. Creator and producer Steve Sxwithul’txw aimed to present cultural practices authentically. “The way the producers work with the Elders and listen to their stories in the language and listen to the songs… it’s not really been documented in that way,” Wallas said.

Sharing Stories and Cultures

Wallas highlighted the filmmakers’ efforts to engage with communities and partner with them in sharing their stories and histories. He expressed hope that Ocean Warriors will elevate these narratives to a broader national audience, allowing more people to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.

“It’s been quite the experience, especially watching the kids share and learn from the Elders,” Wallas added. The show premiered on January 8, 2024, on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), marking a significant milestone not just for the CN-CGA but also for Indigenous representation in media.

As the series continues, its influence may extend beyond entertainment, potentially inspiring new generations to engage with their maritime heritage and foster a stronger sense of community among Indigenous Nations.