Cold Lake First Nations responds to allegation made on set of The Nation – Series

Cold Lake First Nations has responded to allegations of a sexual nature made towards the producer/director of the series The Nation, which is being filmed in and around the first nations community.

On May 23rd, actor and comedian Tonia Jo Hall released a video on social media describing what she refers to as inappropriate behaviour in a sexual manner that was done to her by the producer/director of the series, Aaron Sorenson.

The allegations prompted much feedback, many of which were negative towards the series and the accused, as well as the lead actor, comedian Conway Kootaney, referred to in the video by his stage name, “Smudgepan.”

Kootaney has released a video in response to the allegations and his original response to the situation (a video which has since been removed).

He mentions that Hall did not address any issues while on set or in Cold Lake. He does acknowledge her allegations and states that the two talked via text message prior to her releasing the tape. It was at that time she made him aware of her uneasiness and the alleged sexual misconduct.

The role Tonia Jo Hall was portraying, “Monica”, has since been recast. It is unclear whether Hall left the show on her own or if she was dismissed from her role.

It is unknown if Hall has reported the incident(s) to the RCMP. Hall is an American Indigenous actor/comedian known for her stage character “Aunty Beatrice.”

CLFN Leadership Addresses On-Set Safety Concerns of ”The Nation” Film Series

 

We want to make a statement on the Facebook post and video concerning “The Nation” series being filmed at Cold Lake. The Facebook post and video started an important conversation in our community, and we wish to address this issue with the utmost care, respect, and with a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

First and foremost, we acknowledge the feelings expressed by the individual on the Facebook post and video who felt unsafe while on set and in our community. We take such concerns seriously and we want to emphasize that we firmly stand against any behavior or activity that threatens the safety and well­ being of individuals on our Nation. We are fully committed to creating an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from any form of harassment or intimidation.

After speaking with the entire cast and crew involved in the film series, we are confident in the safety of our members and individuals involved in the production. Nonetheless, we have reaffirmed that there are supports and confidential reporting mechanisms in place to ensure that any concerns of safety or wellbeing are addressed in a prompt and appropriate manner.

Lastly, we want to reiterate how we see this production as an incredible opportunity for our Nation to be seen and heard, and it is our hope that it will foster greater understanding, appreciation, and cultural exchange between our Nation and the broader public. We are also thrilled to see our Nation members involved in various acting roles, providing them with invaluable experience and a chance to be part of the film industry.

We extend our gratitude to the individuals involved in the production for their collaboration and look forward to a positive and transformative experience for our Nation.

Masi Chough

CLFN Chief and Council

 

Filming Resumes with a new Director/Producer

The Nation – Series will resume production and filming with a recast of the character “Monica” formally portrayed by Tonia Jo Hall.

It is rumoured that the new producer/director is an indigenous female, though a name has not been released to the media at this time.