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Watch Absolutely Canadian independent documentaries from Atlantic Canada

Absolutely Canadian, the series of independent documentaries, is back for another summer season on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

Locally produced docs air this season on CBC TV and CBC Gem

CBC Communications ·

Absolutely Canadian, the series of independent documentaries, is back for another summer season on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

CBC TV showcases documentaries on Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. (unless otherwise stated). Watch for free on CBC Gem.

Check out these docs:

June 15, 8 p.m. - Trout River and the Blue Whale

A coastal landscape with the ocean waters sweeping up agains sand and yellow grass with mountains in the background.
 The remains of one of the biggest animals to ever live land on a small town beach, attracting global attention and changing a Newfoundland outport forever. Director: Tom Cochrane.

June 22, 9 p.m. - The Forgotten Warriors

A poster for the documentary Forgotten Warriors. Three men in black and white appear to come out of a cloud of smog, while six men raise their fists in the air at the bottom of the poster. In the middle is the text in white: "The Forgotten Warriors A Hunger for Justice."
The Forgotten Warriors tells the story of a nine-day hunger strike by nine Mi'kmaq activists from Conne River, N.L. in 1983. Director: Noel Joe.

June 29, 9 p.m. - Woods Music - Episode 1 - Lament of the Irish Immigrant

A black and white photo of immigrant lumberjacks standing for a group photo in the winter in a logging camp, many of the men are holding musical instruments.
Irish, English, Scottish, and French lumberjacks of the 19th century collaborate to survive the harsh conditions of Canadian logging camps, establishing a folk music tradition unlike any other. Director: Méabh O'Hare.

July 6, 9 p.m. - Woods Music - Episode 2 - The Lumberjack's Alphabet

A black and white photo of immigrant lumberjacks standing for a group photo in the winter in a logging camp, many of the men are holding musical instruments. The words Wood Music and Episode 2: The Lumberjack's Alphabet are printed in green text.
The history of Irish songs in the White Pine Belt of North America is largely the history of Irish immigration to Canada. Director Méabh O'Hare explores the songs, singers and tunes of the lumberjacks, and how they formed a unique style and repertoire from their Irish heritage and new Canadian identity.

July 13, 9 p.m. - Village at the End of the Road

Two fisherman one in a black jacket and cap the other in a red jacket and black toque, are out fishing with a fog bank in the background.
A remote Newfoundland outport faces extinction. Once a vibrant community of independent fishermen, Bay de Verde is now a community struggling with its own demise. Village at the End of the Road offers portraits of residents' lives and memories. Director: Dennis Lanson

July 20, 9 p.m. - Women of this Land -  Indigenous women from N.S. and N.B.

Three photos in a row: From left, a woman with black hair wearing a beige hat, the name "Shalan Joudry" is in white text at the bottom of the image; middle, a woman with a wide-brimmed hat walking through the woods. She is back on to the camera. The words in white text: Women of This Land are over the image. third photo: woman with grey hair and a multi-coloured vest with black shirt stands near the water's edge. Dr. Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs name is at the bottom in white text.
Women of this Land is a documentary series that spotlights an Indigenous woman from each province in Atlantic Canada and how they connect to land and language. Each half-hour episode engages the voices of Indigenous women in revealing and uplifting profile pieces. In this episode, you will meet shalan joudry, a captivating Mi'kmaw storyteller and ecologist based in Bear River First Nation, Nova Scotia and Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs, a revered Wolastoqey Elder and linguist from Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick. Director: Stephanie Joline

Aug. 17, 9 p.m. - Women of this Land -  Indigenous women from N.L. and P.E.I.

Three photos in a row; From left, an Indigenous woman wears a feather head dress, she has long brown hair and is in Indigenous regalia, the name, Chief Darlene Bernard," is in white text in the bottom of the photo. Middle photo: A woman walk through a forest, she is wearing a wide-brimmed hat. She is back to the camera. The words Women of this Land are in white text in the middle of the photo; third photo: profile-type shot of a woman with a fur-lined hood up over her head and the name, Jennie Williams, is at the bottom of the photo.
Women of This Land, the documentary series about Indigenous women in Atlantic Canada continues with the spotlight on Chief Darlene Bernard, a resilient leader from the Lennox Island First Nation in Prince Edward Island and Jennie Williams, an Inuk artist and teacher hailing from Labrador, currently residing in St. John's, N.L. Director: Stephanie Joline.


Absolutely Canadian is a national one-hour series showcasing documentaries that tell unique stories from communities across Canada. All programs are produced locally and highlight the works of independent filmmakers in each region. Season 24 airs on Saturday nights during the summer. Watch now for free on CBC Gem.

CBC works closely with independent filmmakers throughout the region to produce this series.

You can see all previous seasons of the Absolutely Canadian series here.

Photos courtesy of CBC/Absolutely Canadian

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