Exploring Water Worlds: A Q&A With Tantoo Cardinal

Renowned Cree-Métis actress Tantoo Cardinal is making waves with her latest project, Water Worlds, Canada’s first Indigenous underwater documentary series premiering on APTN in January 2025. Narrating this visually stunning and deeply educational series, Tantoo takes viewers on a journey through Canada’s vital waterways to uncover their fragile ecosystems and the inspiring efforts to protect them. From celebrating Indigenous knowledge to highlighting the power of Two-Eyed Seeing, Water Worlds promises to enlighten and inspire. We caught up with Tantoo to dive deeper into the making of the series and its important message for future generations. —Noa Nichol

What drew you to narrating Water Worlds, and why do you feel this series is important for Canadian audiences?

When Len Morissette (the creator and director of Water Worlds) called me out of the blue to share about the series and ask me to narrate, I was thrilled to be asked. I have long felt it was a loss to our society – and Canadians – to not have Indigenous perspectives and knowledge, in tandem with science respected by the majority of society, be a part of the mainstream conversation. Viewers that tune in will see how important this is in saving our planet.

Water Worlds uses the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, combining Indigenous knowledge with modern science. How do you think this approach enhances the storytelling and the message of the series?

I believe it’s crucial to the storytelling in Water Worlds, and beyond. I strongly feel that the severance of the relationship between Indigenous knowledge and western science has caused an imbalance in our environment. With Two-Eyed Seeing, we can effectively work together to restore this balance for future generations.

The series explores critical waterways across Canada. Were there any particular episodes or stories that resonated with you on a personal level?

It is hard to pick just one moment or story, from saving our kelp forests to preserving freshwater turtles to learning about the function of sea sponges, all of this resonates with the deep Indigenous relationship with water. In society, it seems that there is often more understanding and focus on how the earth’s soil is being impacted by our actions than how our waters are being impacted by societal choices. By exploring Canada’s most critical waterways we can show people how crucial water is to our survival.

Water has always been a central component of our Indigenous ceremonies and communities, and it is beautiful to see the power of water on display in this series. Viewers will have the privilege of learning from the Indigenous water to relationship and how traditional practices combined with western science can improve outcomes for all of us in the future.

As a Cree-Métis actress, how did narrating Water Worlds in Cree deepen your connection to the language and culture?

It was a particularly thrilling experience to also narrate the series in Cree. Back in the day, my grandmother primarily spoke Cree, but she did not allow me to speak back to her in Cree – only English. When I was a child, Cree-speaking people were ridiculed and in the dregs of colonialism and faced attempted genocide.

By getting the opportunity to narrate the series in Cree, I had the unique experience of working with people who spoke the language and could share their rare knowledge here to translate the unique topic of water science to Cree and help keep our language alive. In narrating, I also discovered that the Cree knowledge I had was not gone, but parked somewhere deep inside my head. As I spoke it to narrate, it started to come forward more and more as the project went alone.

The series highlights the preservation of Indigenous teachings and language reclamation. Why is this aspect so vital in the context of environmental stewardship?

Without bringing stories like this to the mainstream, our language dies with the people who know it. It was fascinating to experience the difference in working with a variety of translators on the Cree translation, and on a series like this, I’m proud to be able to help preserve the Cree language through such an important topic to Indigenous people and the rest of society. The technical work of making sure the Cree narration fit in the space made available by the English narration, was a huge feat! Perhaps one day it will be the other way around – ha!

What do you hope viewers take away from the series, both in terms of environmental action and understanding Indigenous perspectives on conservation?

I hope viewers feel a sense of powerfulness in being able to contribute to cleaning up our environment and helping to restore the balance that has been lost. Or, at least, I hope they will learn something about how they might be able to decrease their footprint by changing some of the habits in their lives – however big or small.

Or perhaps they will be inspired to pursue more about the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing, and incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge of the relationship with water and other elements of Mother Earth. Bringing this conversation to mainstream media is the first step to fixing things as they are.

Water Worlds focuses on reconciliation in action, including collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. What examples from the production process stood out to you as models for reconciliation?

Our Indigenous ways were once outlawed and it has been a long road for our Indigenous communities to return to a position of respect. The irony is, Indigenous knowledge is crucial to restoring balance on our planet, and we are being called in at a time of urgency, which is better late than never!

Through the production process to my role as the narrator, Len (director) ensures that every part of the show is empowering for all involved. The series is done in such a simple, but thoughtful way. As the narrator, it was a hopeful moment for me to see the best scientists working together to educate and act on cleansing and preservation. As a viewer, it gives a feeling that change is possible for any community. Every one of us has a part to play in reconciliation and working together to restore balance on our planet is the ultimate example of reconciliation in action.

The series creator, Len Morissette, has shared that the concept for Water Worlds came from humble beginnings. How do you think his vision and storytelling approach shaped the final product?

Len’s passion for this project is storytelling at its best. I have so much gratitude for Len and his incredible team for pulling this very trying work off. The work of reconciliation is never-ending and Len showcases this in action, and viewers will see this on screen in full force in every episode as people – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – work together to save our planet. The work Len has done through this series is more important than people realize, not to mention unpredictability of working with undetermined elements to combine the arts (film production) and water.

With the premiere approaching, what excites you most about audiences experiencing Water Worlds, and what conversations do you hope the series sparks about protecting Canada’s waterways?

I hope viewers will watch Water Worlds and see for themselves how every action matters and that every person can make a difference in their own local communities to protect and restore the balance on our planet. I hope they tune in to APTN on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 and follow along this never-before-seen journey. They will leave feeling inspired to make a change!