Nadia George is an award-winning actress and activist who stars in the upcoming new short film “Along the Water’s Edge”.The film addresses the water crises being faced by countless Indigenous communities across Canada. Set in the near future, the film explores the potential impacts these crises can have on Indigenous people living in these communities should the issues continue to be ignored. This compelling film is set to make its premiere at the 2020 Canadian Film Fest on Saturday, June 6th at 2:00 PM exclusively on Super Channel Fuse. We had the opportunity to catch up with Nadia ahead of the premiere.
Hi Nadia, Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. How did you get into acting?
Acting for me has always been in my DNA, I started portrait modeling at the age of three and loved being in front of the camera. I was always making up plays as a young kid and creating dances to anything Madonna. I didn’t originally go to an Arts school, however, I started doing community theatre when I was about nine years old, and did my first show at the Guelph little theatre in Guelph, Ontario, where I had to memorize over 80 lines and my very solo; but due to unstable housing and moving frequently I was unable to continue. Then in 2011 while studying Social Work at Laurentian University, I was able to take theatre and acting studies as an elective with the amazing playwright Valerie Senyk. I continued to study with her over the next year and it reignited my passion for the arts; however, the transition didn’t happen right away. I chose to follow through with social work because I felt a deep need to support vulnerable populations and wanted to build my career in the field. Then in 2016 the moment came where my son was now a teenager and spending time with friends took priority (laughs), so I found I had more free time to follow my other passions: so, with the support of my boyfriend, I decided to take on acting professionally.
You received an award for “Best Achievement in Acting” at the 2018 Los Angeles Skins Film Festival. Can you tell us what this experience was like and how has it impacted your career?
Saying it was an experience of a lifetime is an understatement. I had only been in the industry for a year and a half, and I felt like my world was spinning. The best part of the story was that I didn’t even know I was nominated, I knew the film got nominated for best short, and I almost didn’t go to the festival. I was back and forth in talks with my best friend Robyn and she convinced me that I would regret it if the film won and I wasn’t there to stand up on stage for it. I still chuckle to myself thinking about what I would have felt not being there to accept my first individual award. My boyfriend says he wishes he had his camera running when they called my name because I almost choked on the salad I was eating. I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous is all my life, and I was a young mom so that’s saying something! The impact on my career has been beautifully humbling and empowering, I’ve been shown so much kindness and support from our Indigenous film community and have made some really great connections with others in the industry.
You have a growing body of work in several film and television productions. What would you say have been your career highlights, and why?
I would say having my films go international, it’s really a good feeling to know that people around the world are getting to see films like Her Water Drum and Along the Water’s Edge. The messages are important, and impact all of us as humans. But I think a personal highlight would be working on the set of Camp Cowabunga, with puppets. I remember growing up watching Sesame Street and thinking “one day I want to go to Sesame Street”, so being able to be right in the thick of it was amazing … a childhood dream!
You star in the new and very compelling short film “Along the Water’s Edge” making its premiere at the 2020 Canadian Film Fest this June. Please tell us more about the film and what can we expect?
The film itself is centered around the ongoing water crisis of our indigenous nations. It also highlights what can happen if we don’t address the seriousness of this issue.
The film explores the potential impacts these crises can have on Indigenous people living in these communities. Can you talk to us about that and how far are we from seeing these disastrous effects?
Currently there are a large number of Indigenous communities all over Turtle Island (North America) without clean drinking water. If this was Los Angeles or Toronto, fixing the issue would even be a question; so this movie is meant to challenge the political discourse in which we are seeing today. In 2019 it was said that there are still 55 Canadian Indigenous Reserves without clean drinking water. If we look at the current state of our Navajo Relatives who are dealing with the COVID crisis, approximately 15% of their homes do not have running water. We are already seeing these effects happening to our indigenous communities, and all I know is that if we don’t do something quickly, it won’t just be indigenous nations affected, it will be all who live on Mother Earth.
You’re an Indigenous Rights and Youth Advocate, working closely with organizations such as The Child Welfare Political Action Committee and MotiV8 Canada. Can you tell us more about the work you do with them and how you got involved?
I’m so happy you asked! My best childhood friend founded The Child Welfare PAC Three years ago because research has shown that youth leaving the child protection system at the age of majority have worsened life outcomes than their peers. I joined in the same year it was created because I believe in creating better outcomes for our youth. I also like my friend and founder, have lived experience with the Child Welfare System, and I see the system continuing to struggle to ensure youth succeed aftercare. The Child Welfare Political Action Committee Canada (Child Welfare PAC) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit that advocates for a progressive child welfare system and focuses on creating evidence-based policymaking, aimed at improving youth life outcomes. One of our biggest highlights was working collaboratively with post-secondary institutions in Ontario, to offer tuition waivers for foster children who were Crown wards.
As for MotiV8 Canada formerly known as Influencers Motivating Influencers, I joined the organization as an Ambassador in November of 2019. I was approached by a follower on my Instagram whose work I had also been following, and we sat down to tea. I was humbled that she had thought of me, and I was eager to join the team. Being disconnected from my own Indigenous culture as a young child made it awkward to reengage; I don’t want any indigenous child to feel that way. So I felt that being able to help promote empowerment of culture and healing was right up my alley. During our tour we facilitated Wellness Film Workshops and Art Workshops, encouraging the youth to take the lead using cameras and sound equipment, writing stories, and painting; letting them explore their creativity in a safe and supportive environment. In both communities of Sachs Harbour and Aklavik, they facilitated on-camera documentation of the Elders and Youth sharing knowledge and traditions. I love the work that MotiV8 Canada does, and was honored to join the team for their Northwest Territories Tour.
Respectful of those you have already worked with, who in the film and television industry do you hope to work with and why?
I have a fascination with the work of Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren. Their talent shows no bounds. The way they live the truth of a role astounds me, and they seem like they would super fascinating people to have a tea and chat with. I also hope one day I will get to work on the set of an M. Night Shyamalan movie. I’m a huge fan, and I love how he tells a story. He takes you on this incredible journey, gets you feeling one way, and then BAM you’ve all turned around, and can’t believe your opinions of a character could change so quickly.
Do you have any other projects coming up you’d like to promote?
CAMP COWABUNGA! I still laugh watching it. It’s such a zany show, all The characters bring their own uniqueness, and I love that I get to bring aspects of my indigenous culture to the show. The show is set in the 80’s and it really evokes those childhood memories of sitting by the campfire singing songs and eating marshmallows. It’s a fun and educational show for kids, even parents are going to want to watch it too.
Where can our readers follow and find further information on you?
Just Google me (laughs) jokes aside, I can be found on Facebook and Instagram as NadiaGeorgeOfficial (all one word), they can check out my IMDb or stop by my website at nadiageorge.com I’m always around!
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