Vancouver / May 14th, 2018 – Great Pacific Media is pleased to announce the release of APTN’s Queen of the Oil Patch. The documentary series follows the incredible LIVES of one man and Two Spirits…Massey Whiteknife and Iceis Rain. The eight-episode, half-hour series premieres on Tuesday, June 5 on APTN East and HD at 10:30 p.m. ET, APTN West at 10:30 p.m. MT and on APTN North at 4:30 a.m. CT.
Massey Whiteknife is an Indigenous entrepreneur from the Mikisew Cree First Nation who has built a million-dollar empire in the toughest town in Canada… Fort McMurray. In northern Alberta, most men are measured by grit, strength, thick skin, and courage. And Massey has more of that than most, he is, after all, the undisputed “Queen of the Oil Patch.”
As an openly gay man, Massey has won the hearts of thousands in northern Alberta. His determination has built a business empire that was once worth millions. But, the collapse of oil prices and a heartbreaking fire took all of that away. Where others were crushed by the double hit, Massey has vowed to dig deep inside, and rebuild his life with a little help from Iceis Rain, his courageous second spirit.
With nothing left to lose, Iceis Rain has emerged as the powerful, fearless alter ego and Fort McMurray’s reigning Queen. When Iceis puts on her makeup and dress, she instantly transforms into a woman of boundless courage. Iceis is a critically acclaimed recording artist, booking dates across the country, and was nominated at the 2014 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, where she also performed. One person, one body, two very different identities. Massey runs the business while Iceis rules the night. It is a tough job juggling that much personality and Massey knows he has to make a choice; continue the double life, or choose to become Iceis forever. Hard questions for anyone, but balancing family and Indigenous tradition, while working in the male-dominated world of oil rigs, may be downright impossible.
Queen of the Oil Patch is a series about a man seeking happiness and acceptance. It’s about family, love, and compassion. It’s about community and courage. It is a series that will leave you feeling inspired.
Produced by Métis Director, Neil Grahn, Kelly McClughan, and Mark Miller, the concept was developed by Kah-Kitowak Films in partnership with APTN.
The digital media component for Queen of the Oil Patch, designed by LVL Studios, consists of a WebApp including a second screen experience – a way for viewers to engage with content on a separate screen while watching the broadcast. This includes links to webisodes, a Cree language game, viewer opinion polls, and more insight into Massey’s journey.
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About Kah-Kitowak Films
Kah-Kitowak Films is a Vancouver-based production company that works in partnership with Great Pacific Media. Kah-Kitowak produces quality factual content with a focus on positive Indigenous stories.
About Great Pacific Media
Great Pacific Media is a global leader in factual television, with series that appear in more than 170 countries.
About APTN
APTN launched in 1999 as the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world, creating a window into the remarkably diverse mosaic of Indigenous Peoples. A respected non-profit, charitable broadcaster and the only one of its kind in North America. Sharing our stories of authenticity in English, French and a variety of Indigenous languages, to approximately 11 million Canadian TV subscribers. With over 80 percent Canadian content, APTN connects with its audience through genuine, inspiring, and engaging entertainment through multiple platforms. http://aptn.ca/
Press Inquiries:
Nicola Pender
Director of Communications, Thunderbird Entertainment
(604) 683-3555
nicola@thunderbird.tv
For further information about APTN, contact:
Jacqueline Jubinville
Manager of Communications, APTN
(204) 947-9331, ext. 339
jjubinville@aptn.ca