Canadian Screen Awards recognize Aboriginal talent

Twofilms about Aboriginal people were nominated for Best Motion Picture for Canadian Screen Awards today.

Mana, a love story that takes place 600 years ago when Innu and Inuit meet for the first time received six nominations.

Empire of Dirt, Jennifer Podemski'sfilm about the lives ofthree First Nations women was nominated for five Canadian Screen Awards.

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Veteran documentary filmmaker Alanis Obomsawinwas nominated for best director for her film, People of the Kattawapiskak River.

Herfilm,Hi-HoMistahey!,about the fight for First Nations education in Attawapiskatwas also nominated for Best Feature Documentary.

Obomsawinwill also receive the Humanitarian Award for Exceptional Contributions to Community & Public Service.

Blackstone, the APTNseries about life on a fictional reserve received five nominations including Best Dramatic Series.

Michelle Thrush, winner of a Gemini in 2011, was nominated forBest Lead Actress.

Other nominees include:

• Mana - sixnominations including Best MotionPicture, Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography.
• Empire of Dirt - fivenominations including Best Motion Picture, Best Actress (Cara Gee) and Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Podemski).
• A Tribe Called Red- nominated for Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series.
• Hi-Ho Mistahey!- nominated for Best Feature Documentary.
• The People of the Kattawapiskak River- twonominations including BestDirector for Alanis Obomsawin.
• Rhymes for Young Ghouls- Best Actress nomination for Kawennhere Devery Jacobs
• Smoke Traders - Best Writing in a Documentary Program or Series
• We Were Children- fournominations including Best History or Biography Documentary
• Blackstone- BestSupporting Actress nomination for Cheri Maracle, Best Writing in a Dramatic series nomination forDamon Vignale and Ron E. Scott and2014 Diversity Award (For Excellence in Mainstream Television Programming that Reflects the Racial and Cultural Diversity of Canada).

The Canadian Screen Awards were handed out for the first time in 2013 and combine the previously separate Genie Awards (the Canadian honour for English- and French-language films) and Gemini Awards (Canada's prize for English- and French-language TV and digital programming).

The televised CSA gala will air on March 9 from Torontowith Canadian comedian Martin Short returning as host. The show will be broadcast on CBC-TV.