It all started with words on a napkin which spawned a four year long project, culminating in a 13-part documentary series.
Water Worlds is the first of its kind Indigenous underwater series that explores the impacts humans are having on the planet’s fragile aquatic life and ecosystems.
The first episode debuted in English and Cree on January 9, 2025 across Canada on APTN.
Cree writer, director, and executive producer Len Morrisette says it was a blessing to travel from ocean to ocean to make the series.
“I grew up in the Okanagan and water has always been freeing for me,” says Morrisette.
“I’m a giant man, I’m like Aquaman, not good on land but I’m great in water. It’s one of those things where I always wanted to do an ocean show. I remember when I was a kid, I would watch Jacques Cousteau and stuff and I just thought the ocean was amazing. As I got older and I started getting more in touch with my culture, because I’m urban Indigenous, the water teachings and being stewards really rang a bell with me,” says Morrisette on the latest episode of Face to Face.
Water Worlds is narrated by living legend Tantoo Cardinal. Getting her involved in the project was just one of many “hail Mary passes” that Morrisette made during the creation of the show.
He says there was a great team who pulled together for a full year of heavy filming and admits filming underwater was a mystery to him.
Morrisette says the thing that stands out the most after travelling from coast to coast is the diversity of Canada.
“One of the things that I was taught when I was freshly president of the Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association, when I first became president, I said why can’t some things be standard and some things blanket across everything and it was explained to me by some of the elders that every community’s bundle is different and everybody has different needs and there are many perspectives and it can’t just be a one size fits all,” says Morrisette.
“So, as I went across the country I definitely got to see how everybody’s making what they have work for them from their perspective of the circle and it was just a really cool thing to see.”
Water Worlds airs weekly on APTN and is also available to stream on APTN lumi.
“I just hope that it really gets people talking and aware and understanding that those little decisions we make seem easy but down the pipe, it really has some big impacts,” says Morrisette.
“I hope it brings some hope that people are doing things and pride for the Indigenous communities we worked with. Their stewardship as they’re on their healing journey,” Morrisette said.
“They’re really waking up and bringing these initiatives to the forefront and doing their best with the tools they have to educate their people and become stewards again and I really want those programs to be highlighted and supported. So, I just have huge wishes like any parent with their child,” laughs Morrisette.
