Episode four: Jon the Good Doctor | CBC Radio - Action News
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Sleepover

Episode four: Jon the Good Doctor

Dr. Jon Fiddler is a wild child queer kid at heart, who works on Pikangikum First Nation reserve. The living conditions on the reserve are impeding his ability to treat those in need. Jon has to decide whether or not he wants to work there.

Jon the Good Doctor

8 years ago
Duration 1:30
Dr. Jon Fiddler is a wild child queer kid at heart, who works on Pikangikum First Nation reserve. The reservation living conditions impede his ability to treat those in need. Jon has to decide whether or not he wants to work there.

The first sleepover went better than I expected. Despite the awkwardness and difference in opinions, Scaachi, Alan and Charlie ended up connecting on a human-to-human level. But enough about them, I've got another sleepover to host and three new strangers to meet!

Let me introduce you to Dr. Jon Fiddler. He's a family doctor who works on the northern Ontario reserve of Pikangikum First Nation. He's also a fashion designer, elaborate party-thrower and ex-pie vendor.

Jon describes himself as "a wild child queer kid at heart." He's very different from his traditional Dad who was the Chief of the Cree community where Jon was born. They're from distinctly different generations and have different ideas about on-reserve issues.

His incredibly diverse interests,and adventurous spirit is what made me want to invite him to sleepover.

In true 'Jon Fiddler' style, he arrives at the hotel after pulling an all-nighter, dancing his buns off in the back of a U-Haul in adult diapers, for his 37th birthday. (Listen to the episode and you'll understand). Jon's been up for so long, the line between dream and reality is beginning to blur. Now he's about to spend the next 24 hours with us in room 3-168!

Jon has also brought his stethoscope, the most basic and trusted tool of a physician. It is a symbol of his ever growing problem. Throughout the night, he describes thedire conditions in Pikangikum. The rundown nursing station, lack of resources, and bureaucracy impede his ability to treat those in desperate need of care. It's come to a point where Jon's beginning to question his role on the reserve and whether or not he wants to work there.

Jon is faced with a very difficult decision, that could potentially shape the future of a whole community. Can acclaimed author Sheila Heti, and teenage basketball player Josis Thomas, help make up his mind while he's completely under slept and at his wit's end?

Sook-Yin Lee

PHOTOS FROM THE EPISODE

Dr. Jon Fiddler is a wild child queer kid at heart, who works on Pikangikum First Nation reserve. (Adam Litovitz)
Sook-Yin and the team check-in and prep the room for the mystery guests. (Adam Litovitz)
The room is ready, let's catch our breath before the festivities begin. Are you ready Sook-Yin? (Adam Litovitz)
Our first guest arrives! Welcome Dr. Jonathan Fiddler to the sleepover. (Adam Litovitz)
Jon's got his bed. (Adam Litovitz)
Taking Jon's lead, Sook-Yin sets up her sleeping bag before the next guest arrives. (Adam Litovitz)
Could that be guest number two? I wonder who it is... (Adam Litovitz)
It is none other than acclaimed author Sheila Heti! (Adam Litovitz)
And so it begins! Sook-Yin's getting excited as Jon and Sheila meet. (Adam Litovitz)
Teenage basketball star, Josis Thomas is here, rounding out our group. (Adam Litovitz)
It looks like Josis brought a friend. Who is our mystery fourth guest? (Adam Litovitz)
Say hello to Josis's gecko Ogojogo. (Adam Litovitz)
Now that we are all here, let's sit down and get to know each other. Let's start off with you Jon. (Adam Litovitz)
Okay Jon, explain what your stethoscope has to do with your problem. (Adam Litovitz)
Sheila, do you or your heart have any advice for Jon? (Adam Litovitz)
Okay, swim time! Maybe the pool will help clear our minds. (Adam Litovitz)
Josis has opted for a run instead. Getting in shape for the next basketballs season. (Adam Litovitz)
Even in the pool, Sheila's analytical mind keeps racing. (Adam Litovitz)
As Jon lounges in the hot tub, he mulls over Josis's and Sheila's advice. (Adam Litovitz)