Mohawk Girls (2010–2017) User Reviews (8)

S1E1 Welcome to Our World

[carleepotts · 7/10 · 26 November 2014]

In the series premiere episode of Mohawk Girls (Sunday's on Omni at 9 EST and Tuesdays on APTN at 9 EST), created and directed by Gemini Award winning (Club Native 2008) Tracey Deer, featuring executive producers Tracey Deer and Cynthia Knight is a dramedy set on a fictionalised Kahnawa:ke, ( pronounced ɡahnaˈwaːɡe ),the Mohawk reservation that is actually located south of Montreal, Quebec. This series features four single woman living on the reservation. The media has been touting the series as "Sex in the City meets 'the Rez'".

The show opens with a series of short scenes introducing the viewers to our four protagonists: Bailey, Anna, Caitlin and Zoe. Down to earth Bailey (Jennifer Pudavick a Metis actress from Winnipeg Manitoba), and Rez Cop Thunder (Kyle Nobess - "Barry" from Cashing In) are caught unawares by Auntie Velma (played by Ashley Michaels). Flamboyant outsider Anna(Maika Harper from Iqaluit), newly arrived from New York is vlogging her return "home" and realising things have changed considerably since her visits with her father as a youngster. Finally we meet the loyal yet insecure Caitlin (Heather White – Mohawk/Stoney) and uptight, high achieving band lawyer Zoe (Brittany LeBorgne) discussing the lack of single prospects in Kahnawa:ke. Clearly dating, the competition between women to catch a good man, and the relationships between women are going to be ongoing themes.

The story picks up when Bailey decides to introduce Thunder to her father Sose (played by Glen Gould, Mi'kmaq, with previous appearances on Cashing In, Blackstone and Murdock Mysteries) only to learn from him that she and Thunder are actually second cousins. Caitlyn and Zoe rally around her and the issues of dating only Mohawk men met are met head on but in a lighthearted manner. We learn that Caitlin "hooked up" with Butterhead (played by Meegwun Fairbrother, also known for "Daniel Aerov" of Helix) which neatly establishes that "all of the men are either 'butterheads or cousins'", emphasising once again the dire state of dating on the rez. The threesome check out "MYRezLove" an online dating site and realise that Butterhead is not as bad as they originally thought.

The show finally brings the newcomer into the mix as Anna brazenly walks in to Zoe's home and introduces herself to the girls. Anna's flamboyant "city" look, not to mention indulgent choice of study, sets her apart from the rest of the girls and they are quick to judge her as an outsider, setting us up for the test that will ultimately bring Anna into the fold and make our threesome into a foursome.

Bailey joins up with Anna for a party in the city (Montreal) where she meets Jack (played by actor Christian Campbell with such appearance as "Ezra Kleinfelter", Elementary "We Are Everyone" and "James Frampton", Supernatural, "Man's Best Friend with Benefits") and we begin to see her dilemma; doing what she feels what is right for her people or going where her heart wants to take her. It is in this setting that Deer cleverly weaves in the racist stereotypes that FNMI people experience on a daily basis. Deer treats us to the indigenous response, effectively shutting down the traditional dominant white perspective.

We return to see Caitlin primping for an evening out and we learn that Caitlin's motivation to settle for Butterhead is her desperate desire to start her own family, coupling what many women everywhere can relate to, wanting to start her own family. Again Deer cleverly links that desire with the difficulties facing Mohawk (and indigenous women everywhere); ensure the Mohawk (or insert any FNMI nation here) nation survives.

The episode closes with a catfight between Caitlin and Vicky (played by Rachelle White Wind Arbez) over Butterhead, whom Caitlin has again hooked up. Zoe along with newly returned Bailey and Anna join in the fracas thus sealing the deal for Anna's membership in the foursome.

It is admirable that in the introductory episode Deer tackles the controversy that has brought the real life community of Kahnawa:ke into mainstream news regarding mixed marriages. Presently if a woman marries a non-indigenous man she will be removed from the reservation. A popular slogan "if you marry out, you are out" has appeared at protests as many of the community members are concerned by both assimilation into "white" Canada and the risk of diluting the Mohawks out of existence through mixed marriages.

It is going to be fun to see where Deer's passion takes us as this series grows. What do you think? Will Bailey continue to see Jack? What is next for Thunder? Will Zoe decide to meet a man through the online dating site? Let me know your thoughts.

Ok

[Headturner1 · 7/10 · 26 November 2021]

Show with 21 minute episodes to enjoy your night with. I almost turned it off after about 10 minutes but was sick of looking for something for an hour. It grew on me but if they are aiming to make " The mohawk" people look bad they succeed. The woman are doormats for the men. The men are all portrayed as baboons. They treat each other worse than I've seen anyone treat anybody. I was glad that Zoe and Bailey stepped out of the norm. Tho Zoe was the biggest hypocrite of them all about going outside og their race and the way they mad hat girl into the biggest jerk of them all when her father left the reservation for a white woman. I usually wouldn't even mention any PC stuff in a review but it's literally the whole show. And are they Aboriginals( I heard them referred) as such multiple times, because Aboriginals are the original Australians and have been around for 50,000 years. Mohawks are from upstate NY?? And don't think they've been around 50,000 years. Any ways. I like teen/ young adult drama shows and this was decent.

This series should have been a drama rather than comedy.

[LaxFan94 · 7/10 · 12 November 2021]

I like this series because it looks at the realistic yet humorous version of modern-day Mohawk women. However, this would have been a much better series if it delved into the characters' lives in the traditional cultural sense rather than just from their everyday lives. What I mean is that the series' plot could have been a lot more dramatic rather than humorous. The characters should have embraced their Mohawk culture a lot more than it was portrayed. They did not appear to want to embrace their Longhouse religions. Rather, they avoided them altogether. This is the entire problem with colonialism because it has brainwashed Natives into forgetting about their culture and to focus more on the mainstream culture.

Anyway, this series deserves a seven out of ten.

Great!

[Littlehoneyflower · 8/10 · 5 September 2013]

Mohawk Girls is fun, funny, and well done! I am not aboriginal, but I love shows with independent female characters, especially when Canadian made. The focus of Mohawk Girls is a group of friends who are navigating the complexities of young life, within the framework of a Mohawk community. The women face challenges shared by any person living in a small community who is looking for more. Stay close to your roots, or leave the nest? Mohawk Girls has a Being Erica feel, but much more realistic and down-to-earth. I can't speak to the representation of aboriginal life, but it feels true to mine as a young person just trying to figure things out.

Should be more fun than it is

[info-90701 · 4/10 · 18 June 2022]

The characters are interesting, the stories are good, but if this really is what Mohawk women go through to get or keep a man, they need a damned revolution, fast, quick and in a hurry! I pray that this is not a true depiction of the men, because if so, they are 80% a nightmare and should be expelled from the people!

Additionally, the whole less than 50% blood issue in 2010 is just too crazy!

There isn't much more to say about it really. The women have good reason to be crazy as bedbugs and mad as hatters!

I hope this was not a real depiction.

Great canadian series

[bladerunnerjb · 9/10 · 4 July 2020]

The show follows the antics of a bunch of ndn friends. It's a funny show that portrays some dilemmas and challenges the leads have to face and overcome. Great production, great cast.

Oh Wow Womens are funny

[ThunderKing6 · 1/10 · 13 November 2020]

I seen a few episodes and WOW.

A show filled with very funny womens what's not to like?

They are so so so funny all the time. Their antics, behavior jokes are so original. Why don't women lead more comedy shows? I really wonder why.

Their humor is relatable and versatile. Its obviously very sad that it ended.

Verdict: Womens that are really funny.

Glad this quality show has been picked up by NBC

[Lee-nic · 10/10 · 29 June 2022]

I just binge watched the entire show. I love the main characters and actresses who portray them, Bailey, Anna, Zoe and Caitlin. I wish there were more episodes. Such a wonderful view into the Mohawk people. I'm sad it's over. Maybe there are a few TV movies in the works? A++++