Producer Christina Fon and Actress Brittany LeBorgne Talk About Mohawk Girls

Greg Staffa: 0:28

My guest today is Christina Fon,, she is the executive producer of Mohawk girls. I also have Brittany Leborgne. She's an actress who plays Zoe on the show. Ladies. Thank you for joining me.

Christina Fon: 0:39

Thank you for having us. I

Greg Staffa: 0:41

I just want to confess up until a couple weeks ago, I had never heard of the show. It is new to Peacock, but it ran for five seasons 2014 to 2017. And now is finding new life on peacock this year. Christina, tell us a little bit about what Mohawk girls is. Well, I mean, Mohawk girls is the creation or the brainchild of Tracy Deer, who was a mohawk, director, writer, producer. It was CO produced by a co-created by her and Cynthia Knight, who was the head writer. And basically, it's really about for for Mohawk women coming of age in their community and all the ups and downs that all of that entails with the added, I guess pressures of, of being Mohawk. And I think and I'll let Brittany add on to my, my description. But I really think it's it's the reason that it actually resonates with a lot of people, not just Native people, but I guess the overall culture is because it really has to do with culture. And it's also a window into a world that people don't know about, about Native culture and native community that's not that accessible, maybe in popular culture. And so it's it's kind of giving the world a window into a look into that into that world in a humoristic I think fun, edgy kind of way. And these, these women are all sort of, you know, really strong, interesting, funny characters, I think. So that's pretty much I think how I would describe it, I don't know if Britney wants to add to it.

Brittany Leborgne: 2:27

Yeah, well, I guess just to you know, I mean, Christina, you you laid it out pretty well there. But I think to one of the goals of Mohawk girls, was to also have, you know, show indigenous people or, as you say, in states, Native Americans, you know, to show us in, in a more realistic way, you know, often when you see an indigenous character in on TV or film, it's often like a one note, you know, character, and I think Tracy and Cynthia really wanted to make these women, you know, real people three dimensional characters to to, to help change the narrative of how indigenous people have been portrayed, you know, in TV and film in the past.

Christina Fon: 3:11

And another thing I just wanted to add, sir, is that, you know, when when Tracy came to us with the idea, we really thought it was a great idea, because, you know, I think it capitalized on a concept that was already understood and popular in a way in the sense of comedy about culture. Like all, you know, five years ago, all these shows were coming out about different cultures. And it was just adding a new component that people could also find enjoyable, and then maybe learn something about,

Greg Staffa: 3:43

Right now I'm midway through season two, like I said, I just started binge watching it. It was a friend of mine, then actually, when she heard I was gonna be talking to you guys. I kind of felt her out to just kind of see, you know, it's just a type of show that is positive towards, you know, the Mohawk people or is it a mockery or I don't want to get involved in something that's mocking it and learn later that but she's like, No, I she binge watched all five seasons and absolutely loved it. She got me watching it. So right now I'm midway through season two. I actually, I really like it. I think there's a lot of interesting things that we don't necessarily see on TV that have nothing to do with the culture. But I think there's some great writing as far as the people, especially with Zoe, you know, it's, and I want to get more later, but the sexuality aspects, aside from the cultural aspect. I think it's something that we haven't seen in a long time. For your character because we don't hear characters being asked, you know, what are you into? We and that was something that was almost new. And so when that happens to your character, you're like, I don't know, what am I into? And so oftentimes, we don't have that talk about sexuality and it's such an important part of your character, finding herself and kind of seeing what she isn't into, or isn't or isn't into. And it really was eye opening as far as her journey, where it's not overly sexualized, you're not, you know, this, this, you know, forgive the term Bimbo, you know, just kind of going around and having fun. There is a real kind of development journey that I don't think we see when we do kind of a sexual storyline, or have a character that's as sexual in her. I don't want to say nature, but her process is your character is what drew you to Zoe? And did you know how crazy your character would get? Because you go from one in the first episode, and you kind of opened up and continuing opening up and I can only imagine where things go. But did you know going in how much that factored into your character?

Brittany Leborgne: 5:53

No, I okay. So that we go we're going way back now to when to when casting you know, first began, I actually read for the character of Caitlin, who was eventually played by Heather white. So I read for Kaitlyn, Heather read for Zoe. And at the actual audition, I remember that the casting, they were like, You know what, here, take the sides. And we really want to hear you read Zoe. And I was like, oh, okay, so I did a cold read right in front of the casting director and as well in front of Tracy deer, the creator director. So I read for Zoe right there. And and I guess they did the same for Heather and they ended up like giving us the opposite roles that we had gone in and prepared for. And when it first started, when I got Zoe, of course, I had, you know a little bit of an inkling in the very first episode, she does start to you know, she goes on the dating website. And she's trying to you know, she's cute, she's kind of really timid, and she doesn't really know what she's doing. So I knew that there was a little going to be a little bit more to her story going down that, that that path. But I only knew as far as like, we were working on Season One, I only knew as far as season one went, you know, I had no idea season two was not written yet, you know, thing for season three, and so on. So every year, every year when they went into the writers room, and then I would chat with Tracy and I'd be like, so what's you know, where are we going what's in store for her in season two? And she would just kind of give me a look like, like, Oh, God, please don't hate me. And it just kept it and every season it just kept getting like, like, worse, not worse and worse. But you know, I mean, Greg, you're in for a real a real, a real I don't even know how to explain it as each season goes on. You know Zoe, though he gets into some some crazy situations. So yeah, I definitely was not prepared. And every season when Tracy would inform me what those storyline was, I kind of had to, like mentally prepare myself and, and just kind of, you know, get into it. And you know, what, if there was anything that really wasn't, you know, comfortable with, we would discuss it and figure it out and make it work or you know, or try something else. But yeah, that was definitely a big, big part of the storyline and a big challenge for me as an actor who had never done anything like that before. So it's and it can be very true. You know. Actually I have a I have a funny story about that if you have if we have time right now. So you saw season one right we saw the finale of season one. And I mean I don't want to give too many spoilers away but those ends up in the season finale. She's wearing like, a crazy, cool latex dress.

Greg Staffa: 10:07

Which I thought you looked great in but yes,

Brittany Leborgne: 10:09

Thank you. And I actually so the wardrobe people are like, Okay, we're going to meet you have to meet here, we're going to meet this guy, he does custom latex outfits, we're gonna go have a fit, we're gonna have a fitting with him and whatever. And here's the address and we're going to meet you there and whatever. And I was like, okay, so I in Montreal, I go in Montreal, I park I find the place. I'm like, Okay, One of the wardrobe women met me there. And the guy answers the door. And it was a guy, I went to high school with no joke. It was hilarious. Like, oh, my God. And so a guy went to high school and it was kind of like a quick little catch up, and we're laughing and what a small world. And then, you know, two minutes later, there is like, taking my measurements for the skintight latex dress. And it was just such like, it was almost like, you know, a scene out of a comedy series itself. But anyway, it all it was all fine and good. And we had a good laugh. And I was like, Wow, this isn't what you do now, you know? And he was like, This is what you do now.

Greg Staffa: 11:13

I think that's what I liked about it is, is it's it's sexual. It's provocative, but it's not, it doesn't feel like, you know, dirty. I mean, you can watch that scene with your mom. I mean, it's one of those things where it's, there's a sexual undertone, and you're going to the club with the season two, it's a fetish club. And you could honestly watch that with your, you know, you're not maybe not with little kids. But it's a, it's a conversation that we don't have about sexuality, that I found very interesting. Because we don't have that talk, we don't have that talk of kind of finding yourself with relationships, we just kind of conform to something. And we're too afraid to ask for something because we don't know how the other person is going to react. And so I found your characters kind of development, kind of very real. And I almost wish more people were as open minded to just kind of say, What am I into, you know, it's, instead of we automatically judge and so then we start judging ourselves. And we kind of leave these closeted lives and don't. So it's a very fascinating storyline. Thats...

Brittany Leborgne: 12:23

yeah, I think I think sexuality in general is so taboo, especially in North America, you know, it like our bodies and sexuality. And I know, there still is such a taboo around it. I'm not really sure why. But you know, yeah, you're right. Like, I mean, it can create, I think it can create a lot of self esteem issues. And, I mean, you see in the show, like, you know, everything she deals with, but yeah, it was such it, like, I've had quite a few people like fans, you know, who who would message me or if I, you know, see them somewhere. And a lot of them say like, it was so cool to see, like your storyline, you know, you say they would say like, you don't see that anywhere. Like it's just such an honest, an honest and like, you know, not, you know, gratuitous like portrayal of this, this road that that though is going down.

Greg Staffa: 13:16

Serves as a reminder to that's okay to have curiosities. I mean, she's curious about things, that doesn't mean she's going to do everything. And I think that kind of process is something that I think is helpful to remind people. So one of the gripes I have about shows like this is I think, too often, we get put in boxes, you know, a show, like Fresh off the boat is an Asian show, a show, like Mohawk girls is, you know, Native American. And we often kind of go to whatever box is comfortable with us, and we don't kind of do, exploring, you know why I had an interview on the podcast was someone from The First Wives Club on BET network. And she's like, have you seen the show? And I'm like, No, I haven't, you know, no screeners have been sent to me. And she's like, Well, why is that? Like, I think publicist, publicist get kind of caught in their own boxes as well, where, why are we going to send a white old guy, Mohawk girls? Why are we going to send it to more people that are in my guess my question is, Who do you think is the target target audience for Mohawk girls?

Christina Fon: 14:24

Well, I could I could answer that. I mean, I think in comedy, I think anybody who likes edgy comedy, is the audience. I would say it's a little racy, as we just discussed. So you know, maybe not super young, but you know, late teens, adults, and I would definitely say it's called viewing. You know, I think again like it today because there is a renaissance in some ways with native content. intent. There's bipoc and native content tha t's in, you know, there's a huge demand for it within our industry, our television, industry and film industry. And so it's really in the perfect position now to be viewed by a larger audience. It's not can five years ago, I mean, to be honest, when I was trying to sell the show, even to our, our network or national, one of our national networks, which is the Aboriginal peoples television network, it wasn't an easy sell, like people, you know. I mean, it took a while before you know it, we got the green light. And we had an executive that became sort of the champion and Monica Elliott, a PKN, who's now the, the CEO of epogen at the time, she was programming executive. And once she became head of programming programming, we got the green light. So it took a native woman to say, Okay, let's do this. And, and again, you know, it took many, many years, because this wasn't the first try to get it out into the US market. So in terms of the audience, chance to the question, I think, yeah, I think it's, it's very wide, I would say maybe not too young, again, because of the racy aspects of it.

Greg Staffa: 16:30

I think that's good. I hope that coming on to Peacock helps, because I do think that we kind of get, we don't watch viewing outside of our own kind of comfort box, I think it's easy to be turned off and say, well, mock Girls, what could that possibly be for me, but I found it to be a very, very relatable. I mean, it's a story about family. It's a story about wanting to feel like an important part of your community, whether it's, you know, the Mohawk community, or the community that we live in, having that kind of social networking, where you're trying to, to fit in and find your place and find and discover yourself. And so, for me, it's a very relatable story that just happens to be Mohawk, I get concerned that we too often get turned off by certain words, or if it's on BT, I can't watch it, cuz I'm a white guy. And I think we kind of our mindset kind of gets drawn more towards what we feel as targeted towards us, rather than hearing about great storylines. I mean, there's a lot of good storylines in this, especially the main character, trying to figure out who she is and dating that white guy and me realizing that I can't date her or I couldn't date her. And, and Zoe is never going to text message me because I'm white. So that hurt a little bit. And so there goes that dream, because I loved your character. But overall, it's a story about, you know, family, it's a story about community. I think that kind of is interchangeable, regardless of if it's on BT or if it's about the Mohawk people or, or whatnot. And I think there's some great entertainment. Lots of funny moment. I'm still kind of getting used to the want to say backstabbing, but there's a lot of front stabbing on that show. takes getting used to, is that kind of overplayed? Is that how you? I mean, Brittany, your mohawk? Yeah. Does that fit in with how you're caught? Just that's how we are we're, we're tough and we're in your face.

Brittany Leborgne: 18:32

Well, there's definitely, you know, there's definitely some some some infighting in the community, I think that you can pretty much say, you know, things like that happen everywhere in your community, you know, to different to a different extent, or, you know, whatever, different situations. But, obviously, you know, I think it is pumped up, you know, somewhat for the comedy aspect, because even even the fighting is comical, as you'll see. So, yes, I mean, it can it can be, you know, it can be and I think that's something we call it, like in our communities, we call it lateral violence, where, you know, our people have experienced so much trauma, you know, in the last several 100 years, it's, it's called, we call it intergenerational trauma. So all that trauma that happened to our ancestors, you know, you know, seven generations back or 10 generations back, all that, you know, it gets passed on, it gets passed on pass on, and that's kind of what causes this, this lateral violence, you know, we're, we're hurt, we're angry, and we end up taking it out on each other sometimes instead of, you know, doing the work on ourselves to to to be better and stronger for our communities, you know, moving forward. So I think that is why that that is featured, you know, in the show, yes, it does happen. But, you know, we want to try and get the context as to why that happens as well. So basically everything I just said like that's it I know why it happens. And we're aware, and we laugh at it. A lot of the time, you know, if you don't know any, you know, the thing about Native American people is we actually have a great sense of humor. And we're often portrayed in film and television or in the past anyway, you know, was like the stoic Indian, you know, this one, no, just no emotion, no, no, no expression. And we're so not like that in real life. We're so expressive, and we're so we love to laugh. Like that is one thing you'll find across the board with indigenous people, like we love to laugh. So, you know, I think some points in this show, you know, we're kind of trying to laugh at ourselves, but also highlight the fact that we need to, let's do better moving forward,

Greg Staffa: 20:49

And it almost seems to be in all the lack of a better word bitchiness, there almost seems to be an undertone of a game. It where it's a game to them, where it's like, can I out, you know, , sorry,out bitch, the other one, and go and confront her. So you do kind of feel that kind of playfulness of it's just weird. To watch so much, back. I don't watch a lot of daytime soaps, and to watch all that back stabbing has been interesting.

Brittany Leborgne: 21:19

And I think that the cattiness, you know what you're saying, I think that comes from a place of, if you want to date somebody within your community, that are actually like, it's like slim pickings, like there actually seem to be more women than men. First of all, so it is like this. cattiness comes out of like, you know, a lot of a lot of people want to date, you know, someone from within their own community, their own cultural background. So it's kind of like a fight for who's gonna get who's gonna get who, you know, it's like musical chairs. But, but with dating. That's, that's, that's kind of where that that comes from. Yeah,

Greg Staffa: 21:56

There's a great scene, I won't spoil it. But there's a great scene where a couple of girls decide to go the town over and see if they can do the same thing and has a funny outcome. Christine, how much balance did you take to go Mohawk versus just general storylines? Because I'm I'm most argue you could take out a lot of the Mohawk and have a great show. But I think the mohawk part is necessity. Was there any pressure from anyone to kind of tone it down for more general audiences? Is there something that you wish could have been put in there that put, I'd argue, I wish there was a little bit more Mohawk in it. I wish there was a little bit more of a not down your throat, but almost kind of an undercurrent of understanding our culture more, here's a little bit more about our culture, you know, using the the guy that does the teaching as a lesson, or as the, to the students, you know, teaching the language and the heritage and everything like that, I almost seem to could have been more of that. Was there kind of like a fine line before? We say, you know, hey, we got to dial it down. Because we want more of a general audience, we need to up it here. Was that something that was conscious? Or do you just tell your story that, because I view it as a good show, I, like I said, I thoroughly enjoy it. I think it's a good show that just happens to take place in Mohawk area, versus it being a Native American show about you know, sex, because I hate the term I keep on hearing it Sex in the City for Native people. And that, to me, just doesn't seem that doesn't fit to me.

Christina Fon: 23:38

Well, I think I think what we said is initially, the way I sold it was basically Sex in the City, Mohawk style. And, and it wasn't, it wasn't necessarily, you know, call copying or trying to, you know, be the new Sex in the City, but it was more like giving, when when it's a different thing when you're trying to sell it. And then when you're writing the story, so it from my perspective, trying to sell the show, is it's always good to have reference references that are yet that are that are proven successes. So then networks could say, oh, yeah, that's a great idea. You know, I get it. And then and then you just go on and create something that's hopefully just as good but has its own you know, twists and tastes and and little like, obviously originality and the nuances that are distinct to the actual show. And, and in this case, there was no there was no guidelines as to whether we make it more or less Mohawk. It was really all about Tracy's vision, and her life and how she wanted To accomplish that, and express that in, in on the screen. And so I think she was just being genuine and honest in terms of her stories, but obviously in the context of a comedy, we can layer it with too much. I guess documentary style, you know, cultural aspects, because you got to keep it funny, you got to keep it fresh and light. So, you know, there was always political undertones, and in all the stories and different, like, I guess, ideas that were being tossed around, but in the end, it was just like, Okay, well, this is what happens. On the rez, and let me just try to tell the story in in a way that accessible to the audience, and not just the native audience, but an overall culture and the overall culture. And I think what, you know, what I've learned as a producer, and I just want to say, because it's important, I always say this, especially now in the context, political context that we're in, I'm not native, I'm Hungarian, Jewish, first generation Canadian, my parents are immigrants, Holocaust survivors. So I, I, I produce native content, basically, collaborating with native creators, artists and all that, and then support them in collaboration is fine. As long as the vision and the the story is in the hands of the native creator. I think, you know, we all we all support that. But But, but to Yeah, back to the the question, I think, you know, when so my point is that when you're, when you're creating stories that have political undertones, it's much easier to access a wider audience, when you're, when you're doing it in a comedic way, and not pointing the finger and being too negative, too intense, too. It's hard for people to, you know, get into content like that when, when they feel you know, when it's too sad or too difficult or too hard to watch. So I think, you know, that's the great thing about Mohawk girls, that it was offering a window into a world that people didn't don't know about that it's, it is offering. And but it's also funny. So it gives a little relief from like, the white person's guilt, and and the lead people like enjoy the show, and enjoy the characters. So long answer to your short question,

Greg Staffa: 28:01

No, you're fine. Brittany being a Mohawk, looking back, how was it everything received? Was it you know, hey, it's it's a TV show, we get it? Was there any concerns or anything like that? I mean, this is, it seems like just a personal show.

Christina Fon: 28:16

Yeah, I'll let Brittany answer that. But I know that we that Tracy, I know, she had a lot of concern and worry. Before starting the when, you know, when the show was just starting out, and when before it aired, and she was really worried that the community will be offended and or there'll be like, backlash. And I think overall, and I think, Brittany, you could probably have more details than I do. But overall, I think it was really well received. I could you know, I know there was a few here, things that happen here and there. But yeah,

Brittany Leborgne: 31:09

going into the show, but I really wanted to do it. And I believed in the show, and I thought it was a really important show. And I think, you know, Tracy, same thing, you know, Tracy is also a good friend of mine. So this show she, it is, from her perspective, it is based on it is based on her experiences, her experience of her close family and friends, you know, experiences that she knows to be true. So, you know, that is the show is a vision from from from her, based on her experiences. So, you know, we can't, we can't, we can't pretend that things like that don't exist, you know? And I mean, she always said, I wanted to, you know, create the show. And she said, Yeah, we're going to show, we're going to show all things, you know, about our community, the good, the bad, the ugly, you know, and, and that's what she did. So, I agree with Christine. I think overall, it was it was it was generally well received. But of course, at the end of the day, you're not going to please, everybody. And I think it's probably like that, no matter what you were to do or say, in this life, no matter who you are, or what community you come from.

Greg Staffa: 32:19

I think that's I mean, there's a scene to with Bailey and the cage, where basically everything you're talking about kind of gets summed up in, you know, how do people view me and judge me, and there's a point where she's like, No one's looking at me, no one's judging me, I'm in the most judgmental place that I could think of, in yet, I'm not being judged. And it seems like there's a lot of kind of double layer for an audience, but also someone that has, you know, indigenous background, to kind of say, you know, I mean, me yourself, you should felt the pressure of the, the community, but was it actually really there? Or is it more self inflicted? And I'm not trying to diminish, you know, what your felt, but how much of that was self inflicted, of how you view other people viewing your culture versus, and it has to be a point where you almost have to look around like she did and said, I'm not being judged. I'm not looked at in a way that I kind of imposed on myself. And I think that was a very good message. Again, there's so much it's easy to focus on the sexuality part. But there's so much good messages coming from your character, in in, in and around what she does, and I found very enlightening.

Brittany Leborgne: 33:40

Yeah, yeah, for sure.

Unknown: 33:42

You do a lot of texting on the show. Some of it's naughty texting. I'm not gonna ask if you've ever done a naughty text message. But did you know what you were texting when you were filming? Like, did they say you're gonna text this? And you're going through the motions?

Brittany Leborgne: 33:58

Yes.

Greg Staffa: 33:59

So you knew, Okay,

Brittany Leborgne: 34:01

Actually, Tracy Tracy and I came up with a great little trick to film those little texting scenes. Because it is in the script, what what, what I'm texting and what I'm what whoever is texting me, it's definitely in there. So we know what is being said. But when we would film the scene, right, like you have to, sometimes it's hard to think of every text in your head when you're not actually seeing it on the fake prop from, you know, so you're United tech and protect the technique we came up with was, we're filming, you know, and then she would talk me through it much like, you know, an old silent film where the director is, like, actually, you know, yelling at them what they're doing, but of course, you can't hear because it's silent them. So in these moments where there's no talking, it didn't matter. So Tracy is kind of, you know, reading the text, okay. He says this, the text pops up, you know, you pick up the phone, you read the text, you know, and then like, I'm reacting and so she would kind of do that, like talk me through the little texting theme. And that was We found it very effective for it to, for me to get the, you know, have the text in my imagination and then be able to react to them, you know. So it was it was a really cool technique. And we ended up using it like through the whole series. And I think she ended up using it with some of the other actors too. It just worked really well.

Greg Staffa: 35:17

And was there anything on the show that you you wish would have been incorporated in? From your culture? Like a festival or event? Something of your heritage that missed out on the Didn't make it on the show? Is there anything that you thought might have been too much?

Brittany Leborgne: 35:34

You know what I think, okay, so the, it is tricky when you're, when you're dealing with indigenous content, and when you want to share indigenous culture, like, you have to be careful, because there are certain things about our culture that you can't show, like you can't film, like I'm talking about, you know, I guess certain festivals or ceremonies or, or things we might do that prayers or songs or just certain, you know, things that you're not allowed to film and share with the public. It's just considered like sacred, you know. So I think, you know, everything. Some of the things that didn't make it into the show, like we did film a little bit in in the Long House, I think it's season three, I can't remember now. We do some a little bit in the Long House, but we had to make sure it was things that were okay to film and to show. So, you know, we had, you know, the the production team consulted with with that, you know, I guess the right people to make sure that that that was okay. The one thing I'm really happy we ended up showing was the powwow every year we have a huge powwow. And people come Yes, from the Montreal area. But there's people who fly in from from Europe from all over the world to come see our power. Oh, it's actually a really, really one of the biggest parallels in Canada. Anyway, I can't speak to states. And unfortunately, we haven't been able to have it for the last couple of summers because of COVID. But I remember in season one, Tracy really wanted to have the powwow and I guess for script reasons, and I think budgetary reasons, it just wasn't possible. And we ended up doing, we were finally able to do it. You know, I think it was season three or four, we were able to do it. And I was really happy that that we were able to show that we we actually filmed it on, you know, our actual powwow grounds we were able to get some people who are actually vendors, you know, who actually have little shops and can showcase their their craft and their art and their, their, you know, textiles and everything. So we kind of created a little a little mini version of the powwow for the show. And I was just really happy to show that because it's such a it's such a great event. And it really makes me sad that we haven't been able to have it in the last the last two summers. I have a little boy, I have a son, he just turned two. And he's never been to a powwow because we weren't able to have it. So I'm hoping we can we can have it next summer. But that was one of the things that I'm really happy for people to be able to see.

Greg Staffa: 38:13

Oh, wow, that's great. Like you say, I glad to hear that that's coming up. Because one of the things I didn't mention is I wanted a little bit more Mohawk, I wanted to learn a little bit. I want to be one of those shows where you're learning something without learning something. And at the end, you're like, dang it, I actually learned some stuff. Well,

Unknown: 38:31

I definitely think you're watching the right show for that. Because as you'll see there, there is going to be more you know, things to learn without realizing you're learning it. And I think like Christina said, though, you know, it's a fine line, like it's a comedy series, it's a scripted series, you know, you don't want to be too you don't want to be like too teaching or educational at the same time. Because you you want the show it's a comedy, it has to move fast, it has to have a good pace. You don't want to we don't want people to get to you don't want to bog them down. But I think you'll find moving forward in the series you'll find I think there's a good balance of of of things to the things that people can learn about our culture while watching the show that are kind of incorporated into our characters storyline. So keep watching. I think you'll you'll

Christina Fon: 39:20

spread the word because we're just we're thrilled to have the US audiences now. You know, having a chance to see it it's such a great thing for Mohawk girls that were really excited about it so and I think the reviews have been very very positive. Yeah, so spread the word.

Greg Staffa: 39:39

And will we see more of your fictional mom

Brittany Leborgne: 39:43

haha Tantoo. Oh, wait. You're on season two because Okay, people so in season one my mom was actually played by Tina keeper. And then I don't know if she I can't remember she did season one n two. I'd have to anyway My My then Tina was not available moving forward and so Tantoo Cardinal plays my mom and it was incredible to get to work with her and I mean, I you know, I grew up watching Tina Keeper as well, I was I love used to love watching north of 60, which was like the first the first TV show in Canada that starred like indigenous actors and had you know, so many native characters. So I grew up watching Tina keeper and then also tend to was on the show and I mean, tend to just became, you know, our, we always joke around and call her our Meryl Streep, you know,

Greg Staffa: 40:37

She's, I mean, she's the first person you think of when you think of a show like that. Yeah, any native, like, native when you think of native actors, like Tantoo is like, is it you know, like she is, so such a force and such a presence, and I was so like, intimidated to meet her and to work with her. But she was lovely. You know, she was lovely. And I run into her every now and then at different events, you know, and she's always a friendly face when I when I see her, so it's really nice. And for me, it was just like, such an incredible experience to get to work with her. Yeah, I loved her on Stumptown. I think it was.

Brittany Leborgne: 41:18

Yes, yes. Yeah.

Greg Staffa: 41:20

Just she just a presence. I mean, not even made work. It's just just a grandmotherly authority she carries with her that just,

Brittany Leborgne: 41:31

yeah. I mean, all the experience she has, you know, it's just like it totally you feel it, you know, when you're when you're working with her. And when you watch her on screen, so yeah, yeah, it was one of the highlights of my of my career so far.

Greg Staffa: 41:46

You guys did five seasons. It ended in 2017. But you're seeing everything kind of come back now with it being a peacock. Without knowing how any demise? Or if you died smothered in, you know, latex or anything like that. Is there any buzz about bringing them back? Like, you know, what, are the girls went up to these last few years? Or is everyone's coming back now with shows have gone off the year? Is there any, and seeing where they are after, you know, four or five years?

Christina Fon: 42:18

I, we someone we had another interview recently, and the journalist asked the same question to Tracy and I, we were both like, Sure. Why not? I mean, if there's a demand for it. We I think Tracy said she'd be up for it. So we'd be up for it as producers, and I'm pretty sure the actors would be up for it. So who knows? always possible. Never say no.

Greg Staffa: 42:46

Brittany, what about you?

Brittany Leborgne: 42:49

Yeah, for sure. I mean, it might, you know, working on this show was it was well, it was my first work. First of all, it was it was my first like, leading roles. I mean, when you watch the show, you'll see like all four girls also women are, you know, we all we are like equally believes we all have our own, you know, storylines in every episode. But it was it was my first leading role. It was my first real experience, you know, on on a set, I mean, like, like, where to set for multiple days, not just one day here one day there. So, I learned so much being on Mohawk girls, not just, you know, not just acting wise, but just learning about the business, how the show works, how was set works, how, how everything comes together. And so, like I always just think back so fondly of our, our five seasons, and everyone we worked with the crew, the cast, you know, it was just an incredible experience. So I mean, I would I would be, I would, I would love to recreate that one day, if the opportunity were to were to come up.

Greg Staffa: 44:03

And you've hinted that Zoe has more out landishness to come. Without giving too much away for me, because I haven't seen it all yet. Is there a particular scene or episode that you thought? This is nuts, and I love it, that I can look forward to? Like, what should I look forward?

Brittany Leborgne: 44:22

Yeah,

Greg Staffa: 44:23

This is the one where she said that she just, it got crazy.

Brittany Leborgne: 44:28

Well, there are so many Zoe moments where as I was on set, you know, shooting them I was like, What am I doing? This is my life. Sitting here This is so crazy. But you know, I don't know if there's one moment in particular but you know, Zoe, she she's just going to start getting more adventurous with with with dating online and trying to find the right the right guy, you know, not so much for a religion. externship, but for to, to, to, you know, explore her her kink to get her kink on, I guess you could say, you know, all this, of course is coming from a place of really needing an escape, right? This is coming from a place of Zoe. It's the same thing what you said about Bailey's dancing in the cage at the cloud, like nobody's looking at me, it's the same thing for Zoe. You know, she's, she's the she's able to, to, she's trying to get away away from her life or demanding Mother, you know, her all her responsibilities. And, and so in a way it's, it's unhealthy, why she's going down that road, which she's going to, you know, hopefully figure out one day. But at the same time, she kind of has a lot of fun and a lot of craziness on the way. So yeah.

Greg Staffa: 45:53

And then a scale of 1 to 10 like one being Zoe with her mom at the raffle or whatnot. And Zoe where we see your let's say, by season two, being your 10. Where do you fall on that in reality? Like how much is

Brittany Leborgne: 46:14

I don't know. I mean, I'm definitely not afraid of my mother. Like, though Zoe is. I have I have a wonderful warm, you know, caring Mom, it's so the opposite of, you know, a Zoe's relationship with her mom and her parents. But in terms of the Yeah, like worrying about, you know, her life and her stresses. And I mean, I think I think now I'm definitely I'm definitely not at all close to where Zoe was, I think when I was playing Zoe, I was having all those same stresses and, and a lot of a lot of her same issues with with feeling like, you know, responsibility and, and stressing about what people think and wanting to people, please, all the time, I think I've been on my own journey. Like, that's the one area that I was, I could relate to Zoe, so much. And also though, he's also a crazy perfectionist, you know, she's She, she, she tried way too hard, you know, and then and then often falls flat on her face. I wouldn't say I wouldn't say that's the story of my life or anything, but I definitely have my issues with, with people pleasing and trying to, you know, you want to please everybody all the time. And so I don't know if I can really give it a number from one to 10. But we feel that we need to be a perfectionist. You know, I've definitely experienced that experience, the stress and the pressure or the pressure of trying to be, you know, the right kind of Mohawk girl, you know, in real life. And, you know, just the same way that Joey does. But I would say I've dealt with my my issues in a much more healthy way, instead of trying to run away from them,

Greg Staffa: 48:00

I'm still disappointed that I have no chance with with Zoe or Billy being a white guy. That kind of took me out of it a little bit. As a viewer, I was like, Well, you have no chance of that. So there goes that idea. So, but again, I thank you both for your time, I encourage people to check it out. It's it's a different show, there's a little bit of getting used to as far as the, the dynamic between the women and the confrontation, stuff like that, that took a little bit of getting used to. But at its core, I think it's a beautiful story about finding yourself finding yourself in the community, relationships with your family. I mean, you know, it's easy to say, you know, the Mohawk culture doesn't let us do this or that. But you know, how many of us have taken, you know, a potential date home and, and felt that kind of judgment of our parents, whether you're your Mohawk or, you know, any really race or religion. And so I think there's a lot of things that we kind of tend to focus too much on. You know, that's not my culture. But so much of our culture is intertwined. As far as relationships, friends, family, you know, how we deal with, you know, something that we're into, that maybe our friends might judge us on, so we don't kind of share those things. So much of it is relatable in a fun, funny story. And so I encourage people to check it out on Peacock. I think it's one of those things where we need to kind of explore our boxes of what kind of we tune into and what we don't tune in to, and be a little bit open mind and check out something like Mohawk girl, so I'm very much enjoying it. Even after this interview I plan on continuing to go through the rest of the seasons, because it's, it's something where I want to see where things go. I want to see how crazy so he gets. I want to see how Bailey kind of discovers herself and I think it's just some fun characters and everyone can find someone they can kind of identify with or recognizes someone being They know, you know, we all know what Zoey we all know what Bailey it's it goes way beyond Mach. And well, I think Mach is an important thing to kind of show off that culture. But good stories, you know, are almost universal. And I think that's one of the things that mohawk girls brings to this that really surprised me and really was something that I enjoyed viewing and these are characters that I want to see what goes and what happens. And I think, you know, Britney's character, especially the sexuality, like I said before is, is something that's explored, but it hasn't been explored. Much like this, his worried is more of a self discovery. Usually it's, you know, the bimbo or the promiscuous one. And, and this is like, Oh, I don't know if I like it or not. So I'm going to try it and see what happens. And maybe I won't, so I found that very kind of refreshing and, and stuff like that. So I encourage people to check it out. Christina, what's next up for you? What kind of projects are you working on as producer?

Christina Fon: 51:03

Um, well, there's a lot of exciting things coming up. I think it's okay to mention, but we're in pre production on the really exciting dramatic series called Little bird with crave at Bell Media in Canada, and we were partnering with Fremantle internationally. It's it's also native, themed and has some it's a very Montreal, like sort of Canadian show. But I think that also has global themes about family and culture and reunification. And it's really basically the story of one native woman who was put placed into a Jewish family in Montreal, adopted into that family, but she realizes there was a crime against her in her family, and she wasn't given up but taken. And this is a phenomenon in our country, and in North America, the 60 scoop, and she goes on a search to reunite her family and her three other siblings. And it sort of goes back and forth in time like this is a and it has like, it has a little bit of an Erin Brockovich, which dates me in terms of the movie, but I love that, but it's a Yeah, it's a hero's journey. And it's co created by Jennifer Podolski, who is native and Jewish, and Hannah moszkowicz, Jeremy Pedesta, who is a renowned director, producer writer, is also executive producing that and we're going into pre production February 14 to start shooting in April. And yeah, it's really exciting. We also have another show in development with a company called chef curry that's not native themed. It's called the appraisal with AMC International. And it's also set in Budapest. And it's the female lupane. Or sort of with the James female James Bond twist, but in said in the art world. So that's really exciting. And amongst quite a few other documentary projects that we're also in production with, but yeah, so it's a busy time, and but it's an exciting time.

Greg Staffa: 53:27

Good. How about you, Brittany, where can we see you next?

Brittany Leborgne: 53:31

I am actually in between acting jobs right now. I'm, I actually just did an audition this morning. Like literally before I jumped on with you, I was just doing a self tape for a series. And nowadays with COVID, none of the casting directors like they're not hosting actors in their in their office anymore. It's all done by tape. So you have to put yourself on, you know, so easy nowadays, and we have iPhones, we have laptops, we have iPads, we have so many ways to record ourselves. So my mom was just over reading, reading the lines. The other lines for me, it was so cute. But I also work. I work for resolution pictures as well behind the scenes as a production manager. In documentary resolution does some some amazing documentaries. And so right now we're working. We're working on another documentary feature documentary called Red fever. It is it's about the indigenous influence on North American culture, from you know, art to art to sports and cinema to politics. So I'm the production manager on that. And yeah, I guess that's, that's, that's it, but I do a lot of work behind the scenes as well. So I kind of am really getting, you know, a feel for the industry. From from all from in front of the camera and behind the camera.

Greg Staffa: 55:03

And your mom.

Brittany Leborgne: 55:04

Yeah I'm a mom, yeah, my son just turned to yesterday. So yeah, it's been it's been a an interesting experience, you know, he was born, like two months before we went into lockdown for COVID. So, yeah, it's been an interesting experience being a new mom during a pandemic. But, you know, he's too, we made it through so far. And, you know, hopefully, hopefully, hopefully, the rest of it goes well, and it's pandemic can can end sometime soon.

Christina Fon: 55:36

I just wanted to say it reminded me because Brittany and I were in LA at the Academy Museum, I don't know, a couple of weeks ago, maybe a month. And yeah, very, it was a very special event for honoring Native artists. And but on a side note, if anyone is in LA and wants to go visit the museum, there's a section of the museum called stories we tell, I think, that actually has one of our films in it called real engine, which is on PBS, the Independent Lens. I think you could see still see it there. But it's, it's a great film, which has a lot of humor in it. And we're so honored that the academy actually put a pieces of it in the museum. And it's, it's about Hollywood, a Native American stereotypes in Hollywood movies. And I think it's really fun. And it's also used in schools to educate people and America, the American casting associate Association uses it as a tool to cast native role. So it's a really fun movie. And and it's a fun exhibit. It's actually next to the Wizard of Oz, I think, which is such an honor.

Greg Staffa: 57:01

I'm wrapping things up. But a question for Brittany. When you think of roles, do you think of him as an actress? Do you think of it as you talked about some of the pressure of being a mohawk and judging, you know, this series? But I mean, there's, there's so much I could strip away from Mohawk, and still have it be a great funny series. And I mean, the Mohawk part is important. But do you see yourself as an actress, you see yourself as a mohawk actor? I'm a what? How do you see? And how does that right? What's the roles that you take? Because I could see you as the, the friendly housewife, the friendly neighbor? This was I mean, I could see you on other things that don't necessarily reflect your culture? Is that something that's important in the roles? Or is it just, this happened to be something that I could share my heritage with? And that was important for me for this role. But the next one, I can be the, you know, how much of that, that culture drives, casting choices or audition choices.

Brittany Leborgne: 58:05

This, you know, we could do a whole other podcast on my experience as being an indigenous actor, but also looking the way I do for people who, you know, obviously, they're listening. I also have, you know, European ancestry. So I guess I don't look stereotypically of like, what people think a native person should look like, you know, I have blond hair. I have, you know, fair skin. So my experience, like I've played native roles, I've played non native roles. I've played no specific ethnicity role, you know, where it's never mentioned, what my ethnicity is. And I'm, I'm not I actually find, I don't, like native, but people just don't seem to want to cast me in native roles that that often, you know, I it's, I guess, I think it's still part of like, if you watch real engine, and we talk about the stereotypes of, you know, native people in Hollywood and Hollywood film, I think we're still stuck in a place today, even though there's this, like Christina said, a renaissance of indigenous content. We have reservation dogs, and we have red balls. And we have all these great native films and stories happening where Native people are, you know, the lead creators. But I still think we're stuck a little bit in a box where we still even our own people, we tend to feel or think that we should look a certain way and we honestly don't we look in real life. You know, native people can be all colors and can look very different from one another. So for me, I'm not stuck on playing only native roles, because to be honest, I think I would hardly work if that if that if I if I put all my eggs in that basket. So I audition for all kinds of things. I audition for roles where there's like I said, no specific ethnicity. I audition to you know, I've auditioned for COP roles. I've auditioned for medical drama. I auditioned for, you know, I mean anything and everything, like I'm really open to it's really about the character, you know, and it's not that often that I say no, like, every once in a while my agent will send me something. And I'm like, I don't think that really sounds like me, so I'm not going to do it. But usually, I always, you know, give it a try to see if to see if it's something that that feels good, or try and make it my own. You know, when I when I'm auditioning, so I'm very open. And I'm not, I don't just want to rely on characters that are indigenous. And should they cast me in a role that isn't necessarily a native character? Well, you know, we can we can explore that if they do want to cast me we can explore, you know, making actually making the character native, or, you know, she doesn't have to be or we don't have to talk. I don't

Greg Staffa: 1:00:48

It doesn't define you. know,

Brittany Leborgne: 1:00:50

i Yeah, I guess I don't want as an actor, you know, I can I can I don't want to limit myself too much. But I'm also happy anytime like, I think it's important you know, if I like if I were to be cast with Diana medical drama as a doctor, well, if you want to cast me then why don't we make her Mohawk since I am Mohawk. And let's talk about that. And let's have, let's have, we need more native characters, who are leads on shows, and who were the show isn't necessarily a native show. But we need to see Native people just the same way we see black actors and Asian actors and Indian actors, like, we should be in there too, in the mix is just, you know, your everyday people, and not just there is like some, you know, weird spiritual token, and in a project, like, let's make us real people.

Greg Staffa: 1:01:42

I think Mohawk girls does a well job at balancing out diversity in itself in the Mohawk group, I mean, there's all shapes sizes, you know, look, so that was very good. My big takeaway from that was you suggested we need to do another podcast together, you and I. So, for that, once I finished a series, just kidding. But in both of you, thank you for coming on. been a delight watching the show. And then the lights talking to both of you. You are my crush on the show, do character. So I'm excited to see where that goes. But a real treat. And I'm glad that we got the opportunity to have you on and it opened my eyes to a show that like I said before, I hadn't heard of, but one I'm excited to finish all five seasons of and I wouldn't mind seeing news that they're bringing the show back even for like a TV movie. And no, peacock just did a TV movie for Psych which is a show that ran on USA Network. So they're not opposed to turning shows into a movie. So maybe we'll get the the Mohawk girls made for TV film, you know, up to two years later. So I'm excited. But thank you again for coming on. And I appreciate your time.

Christina Fon: 1:02:58

Thank you for having us. And it's it's it's nice to hear how much you love the show. Thank you.

Brittany Leborgne: 1:03:05

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Greg Staffa: 1:03:07

That does it for this episode. Thank you for listening to the Staffa Corner