Eda Holmes extends the diversity discussion to the Indigenous community. Meet bilingual performer, Charles Bender, a successful stage and screen actor—well-known to APTN viewers—a professional TV host, and a facilitator for various First Nations groups.
The emergence of indigenous stories and artists is an overdue revelation. Join Eda and Charles as they explore ways to create opportunities and welcome Indigenous artists–and their rich, extensive culture–into the mainstream.
For 15 years now, Charles has been a fixture of the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. He was host of the award nominated youth show C’est parti mon tipi, he played lead roles in Sioui-Bacon and Mohawk Girls, he’s a regular presence as host of the Aboriginal Day Live event and hosts a brand new show called Sans reserve. Charles has worked as host/facilitator for many First Nation organisations and groups across Canada. He wasmain host for the unveiling of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report in June 2015. He was also host of the French version of the four-part documentary series, Le 8e feu (8th Fire), a series tackling a variety of contemporary First-Nation issues, produced and broadcast by Radio-Canada.
In 2015, Charles co-founded Menuentakuan Productions, an aboriginal theatre company invested in creating new paths of dialogue amongst aboriginals and non-aboriginals in Canada. As an author, he co wrote Muliats, the company’s first creation, and has translated various plays by indigenous authors such as Where The Blood Mixes by Kevin Loring, Reckoning by Tara Beagan and Andy Moro and alterNatives by Drew Hayden Taylor.
