North of 60

Virginia Boulay

"North of 60" is an ensemble drama about the fictional native community of Lynx River, Northwest Territories, Canada. The show originally aired on CBC from 1992 to 1998. It has been followed by several TV Movies.

The North of 60 series was shot in Bragg Creek, Alberta, and is still one of Canada's most popular and enduring dramatic series, drawing at its peak an unpressident weekly average audience of nearly 1 million in English Canada. It was a rare production that, instead of finding a formula and playing it safe, continued to go forward and take risks with the character and plot development. You cared about the characters and admired that they are portrayed in their weaknesses as well as their strengths.

Another strength of North of 60 was it's cast. The show was definitely an ensemble show. In fact, the ensemble was so strong that major characters would sometimes be gone for weeks at a time without any deleterious effect on the show's quality. The show garnered forty-four Gemini nominations, winning five.

Many of these talented stars have gone on to many other projects, expanding their appeal to Americans who had unfortunately missed out on this shows greatness. Here a small list of where you have seen many of talents that this show has given us.

Tracey Cook-The Highwayman,The Possession of Michael D,Catwalk(Canadian TV Series),Snake Eater III: His Law,Drop Dead Gorgeous(Tv)
Tom Jackson- Loyalties (1986),Clearcut (1991), Spirit Rider (TV-1993),Medicine River (1993),The Diviners (TV-1993),Grizzly Falls (1999),17 successful years as creator of the Huron Carol
Gordon Tootoosis--Alaska (1996), Black Robe,Cowboys and Indians: The J.J. Harper Story, The Edge,Legends of the Fall
Dakota House-One Dead Indian,The X-Files: The Unopened File,The Diviners,Medicine River,DreamKeeper,Shania: A Life in Eight Albums
Simon Baker-The Sweet Hereafter,I, Robot,Shanghai Noon,Smoke Signals
Nathaniel Arcand- Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning,Waking Up Wally: The Walter Gretzky Story
Tina Louise Bomberry-Shania: A Life in Eight Albums,Medicine River
Tantoo Cardinal- Black Robe,Legends of the Fall, Dances with Wolves,Smoke Signals
Art Hindle-Paradise Falls(Canadain TV series),Stranded(Black Horizon),The Arrow,E.N.G.,Porky's II: The Next Day,Porky's,Dallas,The Brood,Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Michael Horse-Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee,The Untouchables(TV Series),Twin Peaks,
Michael Obey-Big Bear
Timothy Webber--Captive (1991),Intersection,Murder by Reason of Insanity,
Byron Chief Moon-Alaska (1996),Scary Movie 3,Little Brother of War,The X-Files: The Unopened File,White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf,Medicine River
Graham Greene- Dances with Wolves,The New Beachcombers,The Green Mile,Die Hard: With a Vengeance,The Red Green Show,Dances With Wolves,Spirit Bay
Adam Beach-The Big Empty,Cowboys and Indians: The J.J. Harper Story,Joe Dirt,Smoke Signals,Windtalkers
Robert Bockstael-Any Mother's Son,A Father for Brittany,His Bodyguard
August Schellenberg-Black Robe,Tremors 4: The Legend Begins,DreamKeeper,Free Willy 3: The Rescue,Silence,Crazy Horse,Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home,Tecumseh: The Last Warrior,Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee,Geronimo,Free Willy

As well the show has had many guest appearances, the most memorable was Robin Duke(SNL) who played the character of Faith, a bank officer who ends up having a personal relationship with Gerry, the town's shady propriator of the only diner around.

The fifth installment of the North of 60 franchise , "Distant Drumming," ,was filmed in August, 2003 and is scheduled to premiere on CBC on January 30,
2005.

A short synopsis,
Teevee Tenia (Dakota House) has a plan - he intends to persuade Lynx River to dump the RCMP and establish an all Dene Police Force. But Michelle Kenidi (Tina Keeper) is concerned: Teevee is Chief now and the de facto CEO of Lynx River Resources. Will a Dene Police Force in Lynx River be answerable to Canadian law? Or to Teevee?

When an elderly tourist (Ken Pogue) from Edmonton is found beaten to death, Michelle’s concerns deepen as her suspicions fall upon Teevee’s friend, Matthew Fowler (George Leach). Teevee brings in another police officer, Marjorie Sebastian (Jennifer Podemski), who focuses on a different suspect; Daniel Deela (Lorne Cardinal).

As both women pursue conflicting investigations, painful events from the past come alive. For the community of Lynx River, the town’s future is now at stake.

The more detailed synopsis can be found at the link above as well as photos, trailer clips and interviews with the cast and creators of this Canadian iconic show. you will need Flash Player installed to view the site.

Later,
Kenaz

You Have Got To Be Kidding!

How would we ever get by without warning labels like this: “Ovenware will get hot when used in oven”?

And many people were probably spared from serious burns after reading this helpful advisory on a heat gun that produces temperatures of 1,000 degrees: “Do not use this tool as a hair dryer”.

In an increasingly litigious society, the Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-LAW) has been handing out awards for these blatantly obvious product recommendations for nine years, and the heat gun advisory won this year’s Wacky Warning Label Contest.

The second place prize went to a warning on a kitchen knife that reads: “Never try to catch a falling knife.” Perhaps the company that produces the product was just protecting itself against customers who aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer.

In an apparent effort to ward off angry tourists who lost their way in the waters around Hilton Head Island in South Carolina after consulting its map printed on cocktail napkins, an eatery printed the following advisory under it: “Caution. Not to be used for navigation.” That notice won third prize.

There were also some interesting honourable mentions in this year’s contest, including a little piece of advice on an unusual product.

The warning on a bottle of dried bobcat urine used to keep pests away from the garden says “Not for human consumption.”

“Warning labels are a sign of our lawsuit-plagued times,” Robert B. Dorigo Jones, M-LAW president, said on the group’s website.

“An unpredictable legal system – in which judges allow anyone to file a lawsuit on almost any theory – has created a need for product makers to plaster wacky warnings on everything. When judges see it as their job to dismiss cases that are rooted in frivolous theories, we’ll see fewer wacky labels and more fairness in the courts.”

There are several silly lawsuits that have been filed over the years, including a case cited on the M-LAW website where a man was awarded $50,000 after he sued a small company that makes basketball nets.

The amateur b-ball player claimed the business was responsible when he got his teeth stuck in the net while he was dunking the ball.

If you thought this year’s entries were a hoot, here’s a look at some of the silliest entries M-LAW has received over the years:

* A massage chair warns: “DO NOT use massage chair without clothing... and never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving.”

* A popular scooter for children warns: "This product moves when used."

* A household iron warns users: “Never iron clothes while they are being worn”

* A warning on an electric drill made for carpenters cautions: “This product not intended for use as a dental drill.”

* The label on a bottle of drain cleaner warns: “If you do not understand, or cannot read, all directions, cautions and warnings, do not use this product.”

* A cartridge for a laser printer warns, “Do not eat toner”

* A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: “May irritate eyes”

* A dishwasher carries this warning: “Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher.”

* A box of birthday cake candles says: “DO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.”

* A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: “Caution - Risk of Fire”

* A flushable toilet brush warns: "Do not use for personal hygiene."

* A digital thermometer that can be used to take a person's temperature several different ways warns: "Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally."

HOW DUMB CAN WE BE?

You might want to know that there are a lot of people who — even when warned in plain English — have not a clue what they’ve been warned about.

A recent article in The New York Times revealed that, when it comes to warning labels — especially those on prescription medicines — many consumers misinterpret what they say.

Researchers interviewed hundreds of healthy, English-speaking adults, showed them actual warning stickers, then asked them to explain what the sticker meant.

The results were scary.

For example, volunteers were shown a warning sticker that advises “Do not chew or crush. Swallow whole.” Seems pretty clear, doesn’t it? Maybe to you, but not to study participants. Many of them thought the label meant they should chew the pill and crush it before swallowing. Others thought the label meant the drug was “just for your stomach.” One participant said the sticker advised users to “chew it up so it will dissolve, don’t swallow whole or you might choke.”

Another sticker, “For external use ONLY,” was interpreted to mean “Medicine will make you feel dizzy” and “Take only if you need it.” Some thought the drug was radioactive.

With those kind of results, it’s no wonder manufacturers feel it’s in their best interests to warn against virtually anything. Still, with those kind of results, you have to wonder if ANY warning label could achieve the desired result.

At least one company seems to understand just how little the average consumer truly comprehends. It makes a laser pointer. An accompanying label cautions, “Do not look into laser with remaining eye.”

Is this gods idea of natural selection?

Later,
Kenaz