Fans of B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� are expressing disappointment after CanadaB次元官网网址檚 public broadcaster announced it was cancelling the Indigenous TV series in the wake of controversy over co-creator Michelle LatimerB次元官网网址檚 claimed ancestry.

Viewers, some of the showB次元官网网址檚 creators and fellow Indigenous actors took to social media on Friday to question why the CBC didnB次元官网网址檛 find a new path forward for B次元官网网址淭rickster,B次元官网网址� even though it had been greenlit for a second season.

B次元官网网址淭his could have been an opportunity to do it right the second season,B次元官网网址� tweeted Mohawk performer and filmmaker Devery Jacobs, whose acting credits include the recent film B次元官网网址淏lood Quantum.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 know dozens of real Indigenous writers and directors who couldB次元官网网址檝e taken over as show runner and benefitted from this opportunity.B次元官网网址�

Shot largely in North Bay, Ont., B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� was a mythical story starring Joel Oulette as a teenager who discovers he has magical powers passed down through generations.

The show debuted to much positive buzz last fall, but became a lightning rod of attention in December after a CBC B次元官网网址 investigation challenged co-creator LatimerB次元官网网址檚 self-identification as Indigenous. The Toronto-based filmmaker had said she was of Algonquin, Metis, and French heritage, from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and Maniwaki area in Quebec.

The news report led Latimer to issue a statement saying she B次元官网网址渕ade a mistakeB次元官网网址� in naming Kitigan Zibi as her familyB次元官网网址檚 community before verifying the linkage. She said she had contacted elders and community historians to receive guidance and obtain verification.

But the fate of B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� hung in the balance, as questions were raised over whether showB次元官网网址檚 reputation had become irreparably tarnished.

CBC officially pulled the plug on Friday, saying the decision was reached after B次元官网网址渕any conversationsB次元官网网址� with the showB次元官网网址檚 producers, writers, actors, and Eden Robinson, the author of the books on which it was based.

B次元官网网址淔ully respecting everyoneB次元官网网址檚 perspective, season two will not move forward as planned unfortunately,B次元官网网址� the corporation said in a statement Friday.

However, not everyone involved with the series was in the loop.

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JJ Neepin, a Winnipeg-based associate producer on the series, said she found out about the cancellation through Twitter, which B次元官网网址渉urt.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he producer side of my brain is trying to convince the director side of the brain why it makes sense. Or it just might be my regular brain trying to tell my heart not to take it so hard,B次元官网网址� Neepin told The Canadian Press by email Friday.

B次元官网网址淚 loved working on B次元官网网址楾rickster,B次元官网网址� I genuinely thought it was going to be one of the big ones, an Indigenous entertainment legacy that I could proudly say I was part of for many years instead of just the short time it was going.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� was chance to develop skills on a high-calibre show alongside fellow Indigenous creators from many different nations, said Neepin.

B次元官网网址淲hether B次元官网网址楾ricksterB次元官网网址� finds a new home or a new Indigenous show of the same calibre takes its place, I am glad that Indigenous voices are speaking up, not keeping quiet and continue fighting for our stories to be told properly (and) respectfully.B次元官网网址�

The CBC declined an interview request on Friday.

B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� was in a difficult position after the CBC report done within the separate news division of the organization.

Latimer became a prominent voice in the Indigenous filmmaking community in recent years, with prizes for her documentary B次元官网网址淚nconvenient IndianB次元官网网址� and a reputation for supporting young Indigenous filmmakers.

But questions persisted about whether Latimer had misled Indigenous colleagues on B次元官网网址淭rickster,B次元官网网址� and shortly after the report co-creator Tony Elliott and consultant Danis Goulet resigned from the project. Within days Latimer had left her role on the series as well.

On Friday, a representative for Latimer confirmed lawyers for the filmmaker had served the CBC with a notice of libel.

Latimer said in a statement B次元官网网址渨e have grave concerns about the fairness and accuracyB次元官网网址� of the CBC reporting on her ancestry.

B次元官网网址淭he CBC was aware of the questions and concerns I raised about the integrity of the research they used to inform their reporting, as well as the manner in which they approached the story,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淎nd yet, they reported inaccurately about my ancestry and created a false narrative about my character and my lineage.B次元官网网址�

CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson confirmed the broadcasterB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渓awyers are reviewing the notice of libel.B次元官网网址�

While B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� wasnB次元官网网址檛 a ratings smash in Canada, it was the most prominent Indigenous TV series in recent memory.

The showB次元官网网址檚 audience grew through on-demand viewings after its original airdate, and conversations stoked by its presence on TV marked a symbolic cultural milestone.

B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� was picked up by U.S. channel CW and began airing in January, while broadcasters in the United Kingdom and Australia also carried the first season.

B次元官网网址淪on of a TricksterB次元官网网址� author Robinson said seeing a young, Indigenous cast B次元官网网址渟oarB次元官网网址� was B次元官网网址渙ne of the best parts of 2020B次元官网网址� for her.

B次元官网网址淭he outpouring of support for the first season was magical,B次元官网网址� the British Columbia-based Haisla and Heiltsuk writer said in a statement.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 deeply grateful that CBC and Sienna respect this situation. It gives me hope that future collaborations with Indigenous creatives can be done with care and integrity.B次元官网网址�

CBC said the B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� cancellation doesnB次元官网网址檛 sway its commitment to Indigenous stories, and that eight other scripted projects are currently in development.

A statement from Latimer, issued after the B次元官网网址淭ricksterB次元官网网址� cancellation, said seeing the world of the series realized on screen was B次元官网网址渙ne of the greatest joysB次元官网网址� of her life.

B次元官网网址淚 was not involved in the decision that was announced today and am sad to hear that season 2 has been cancelled,B次元官网网址� she said in the statement issued Friday.

B次元官网网址淚 am incredibly proud of the entire team that worked so hard to bring B次元官网网址楾ricksterB次元官网网址� to life and I will forever be grateful to the cast and crew that poured their hearts and souls into its creation.B次元官网网址�

- with files from Victoria Ahearn