Amplify is back for a third season on APTN.
Shane Belcourt and Jason Ryle produce the original APTN series, which Wolfwalker Productions, an Indigenous production company, owns. Belcourt is also the series creator.
Amplify is an anthology series that showcases the beauty and diversity of Indigenous music in Canada. Each episode focuses on a different Indigenous singer/songwriter writing a new song or music. The third season features Shane Ghostkeeper, Evan Redsky, Qattuu, Darcy Turning Robe, Sebastian Gaskin, Bebe Buckskin, Lido Pimienta, Tia Wood, and Crystal Shawanda.
Ahead of the show’s release, I had the pleasure of watching the first two episodes of the season, “KIIKSOKOKOMIN” and “ONIHCIKISKWAPIWINIHK,” which follow Shane Ghostkeeper and Tia Wood, respectively.
Directed by Trevor Solway, “KIIKSOKOKOMIN” follows Calgary-based Ghostkeeper as he talks about falling in love with his wife, Sarah Houle, and their relationship journey. Houle is the inspiration behind his latest song, the ups and downs that can happen in love, and the hopefulness of finding your soulmate. The openness with which Ghostkeeper and Houle share their story is touching, with a relatable vulnerability that many who watch the episode can identify with. It’s a love story that will hit you right in the feels and have you believing in lifelong love.
The second episode is also infused with love, but not from a romantic standpoint. Directed by Alexandra Lazarowich, “ONIHCIKISKWAPIWINIHK” is filled with love of home and family, focusing on singer/songwriter Tia Wood’s journey from the Saddle Creek Cree Nation in Central Alberta to the blinding lights of Los Angeles, California. Sometimes, chasing your dreams isn’t easy, especially when it pulls you far from home. However, there’s a joy in knowing you can always go back, and, if you can’t, home will always reside in your heart – something Woods expertly makes clear in her song. Wood’s episode is also a love letter to her family and the relationship she has with her father. It will leave you misty-eyed or with full-on tears by the end of the episode.
Both episodes emphasize home and love, two elements of the human experience that are often intertwined. Whether it’s finding the love of your life, starting a family, and creating a new sense of home or being far away from your home to chase your greatest dreams, but reminded by voice messages from your dad that you can return any time to the home you’ve always known, Amplify gives audiences an in-depth look at the beauty behind the music and music making process through an Indigenous lens.
Not only are the first two episodes of the third season fantastic, but Amplify is the kind of series that deserves recognition for the path it paves. The nine-episode series boasts an incredible 100% Indigenous crew and has seven different Indigenous directors at the helm of each episode. In addition to Stolway and Lazarowich, other directors this season include Carla Robinson, Jason Ryle, Claudia Skunk, Sean Stiller, and asinnajaq.
Not only does Amplify showcase Indigenous talent both on-screen and off, but it is also one of the most compelling docu-series available right now. The vulnerability and honesty with which Ghostkeeper and Wood share their stories and music speak to this. The series shows how and why music is a universal language with the ability to captivate people’s attention and speak to their souls. It is a must-watch!
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