Stories of the North earns top award in Children’s & Youth category
A powerful blend of cultural storytelling and emerging talent took centre stage at the 78th annual Yorkton Film Festival, where Langenburg-raised filmmaker Bo Shingoose accepted a prestigious Golden Sheaf Award alongside Harmony Johnson-Harder for the series Stories of the North. The film event, held from May 21st to 25th, is the longest-running film festival in North America and the second-longest in the world according to Shingoose.
The winning production, We are Nihithow, is an episode from Season 3 of the Indigenous language-based series that was recognized in the Children’s and Youth Production category. The series airs on CityTV and tells short stories rooted in Woodland Cree culture, featuring an elder passing down traditions and teachings to younger generations.
“It was shocking for me to even just be nominated, and it was an honour,” Shingoose shared. “This was my first time directing anything since film school. Harmony Johnson-Harder, the writer and a co-producer of the episode, was also writing her first script. For our first episode together to win was surreal.”
Shingoose has been part of the Stories of the North team since its inception, first joining as a camera operator. “It meant a lot to me to just be a part of an Indigenous show,” Bo said. “Not only to learn Woodland Cree along with the kids, but also to help provide that experience to others.”
With each season, Shingoose took on more responsibility. By Season 3, Bo was offered the chance to direct, a task they initially resisted. “Directing was never my goal,” Shingoose admitted. “I was overwhelmed by the thought of calling all the shots. But the team and producers of Stories of The North, Harmony Johnson-Harder, Kyle Burgess, Allia Janzen and Lee Crowchild believed in me, so I trusted them wholeheartedly.”
That faith paid off. We are Nihithow, which means “we are people of the land,” explores the six seasons observed in Indigenous culture and the reciprocal relationship between people and the earth. The episode uses a blend of English and Woodland Cree, animation and live action, and features Doctor Morris Cook as the storyteller or “Moshom.”
“The goal is to teach children about respecting the land,” Shingoose said. “It’s beautifully simple, but deeply meaningful, especially in agricultural towns like Langenburg, where the land literally feeds the community.”
Though based in Saskatoon, Shingoose holds strong ties to Langenburg, raised by foster parents Keith and Susan Neumier. Bo credits her early love for the arts to local LCS teacher Fallon Prince. “She supported me when I was just beginning to show interest in storytelling…Seeing her again in Yorkton, and being able to tell her about the award, it felt like my worlds collided in the best way.”
Despite the challenges of working in an underfunded industry, Shingoose remains optimistic. “This recognition is huge. It helps settle that imposter syndrome I feel. Kyle and Allia always say their job is to create a ‘bowl’ to help shape artists like me to be the ‘soup.’ Their support has meant everything.”
Looking ahead, Shingoose has already been tapped to direct four episodes in Season 4, double the amount directed in Season 3, and has been asked to write an episode as well. “That’s nerve-wracking, but also an honour. If they believe in me, I’m willing to try.”
Season 4 begins filming in August. The new season of Stories of the North will premiere June 21st, National Indigenous Peoples Day.
“It’s strange and wonderful to feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” Shingoose said. “This show doesn’t just tell stories, it’s helping me find mine too.”