Penelakut Tribe filmmaker Steve SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xwB次元官网网址檚 groundbreaking TV series Tribal Police Files is on the air for its third and final season.

The 13-episode documentary series, produced and directed by SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw and Martin de Valk, premiered Jan. 5 on APTN in English and is broadcast every Wednesday evening (check local listings for time). The season was filmed in the TsuutB次元官网网址檌na Nation located outside of Calgary, Alberta.

The episodes take viewers into the heart-stopping and challenging world of tribal police officers on the front lines of the TsuutB次元官网网址檌na Nation Police Service, in this case. Tribal Police Files follows the officers as they put their lives on the line to keep their communities safe, healthy and proud.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e happy to see it on the air,B次元官网网址� said SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw, 56. B次元官网网址淲e shot that segment for Season 3 in July of 2020. It took some time for post production.B次元官网网址�

StlB次元官网网址檃tlB次元官网网址檌mx Tribal Police Service in Lillooet, B.C. was the focus of Season 1 and Season 2 featured the Rama Police Service in Rama, Ontario.

Ending the series after Season 3, B次元官网网址渋t wasnB次元官网网址檛 my decision,B次元官网网址� said SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a broadcast decision.B次元官网网址�

As a former police officer himself, he brings a unique perspective to his work on Tribal Police Files.

B次元官网网址淒efinitely, this is something that is very close to my heart,B次元官网网址� SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw confided.

B次元官网网址淭he series is reality based. For the most part, it is based on direct experience. I think that tells the best stories. TheyB次元官网网址檙e compelling, theyB次元官网网址檙e interesting, theyB次元官网网址檙e a little bit of everything.B次元官网网址�

SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xwB次元官网网址檚 family background is Penelakut. He grew up in Duncan and went to the Kuper Island residential school.

SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw got into a career as a loss prevention officer at department stores in Vancouver before becoming a corrections officer. He later went to the First Nations Tribal Justice Institute that provided his basic police experience.

After completing his training, SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw founded the Tsewultun First Nations Police Force in Chemainus that lasted until 2005 and then moved to StlB次元官网网址檃tlB次元官网网址檌mx in Lillooet to continue his career. While in Lillooet, he transitioned into doing some broadcasting at the local radio station.

B次元官网网址淭hey needed people to fill in time slots,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淚t wasnB次元官网网址檛 long before I had a following. It was a lot of fun. I did that for six or eight months. I decided it was something I wanted to pursue down the road. I put it in my back pocket.B次元官网网址�

After enrolling at BCIT for a course in broadcasting, SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw worked with CTV, CBC and spent some time at Global. B次元官网网址淭he reason I went into it was to tell Indigenous stories,B次元官网网址� he explained.

Eventually, SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw got to do that more regularly after starting his own production company. He created and hosted the show Warrior Games that highlighted Indigenous sports across North America and won numerous awards for the program.

Tribal Police Files gave him a chance to combine all his experience and expertise, heading back to Lillooet, where he used to work to shoot the first season.

He said itB次元官网网址檚 been the ideal situation B次元官网网址渢o jump behind the camera and to be able to tell stories about our people in a different way.B次元官网网址�

First Nation policing in Canada has been in place since the 1990s, developing as an important part of self-determination for Indigenous Peoples to have their own police agencies and justice systems centered around their community and cultural traditions.

B次元官网网址淭he TsuutB次元官网网址檌na Nation Police Service is proud to have been provided the opportunity for APTN viewers to witness the outstanding work of the women and men of Tosguna,B次元官网网址� said Chief Keith Blake of the TsuutB次元官网网址檌na police. B次元官网网址淥ur officers and staff have dedicated themselves to the safety and well being of our community and we look forward to taking you on a remarkable journey through the stories that have impacted the lives of our community members and officers.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲orking with cameras in any community can be a challenge, but seeing the final result, we are so pleased with its outcome and are grateful for the opportunity to work in the TsuutB次元官网网址檌na Nation with these fine, dedicated police officers,B次元官网网址� noted SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw.

The time between seasons of Tribal Police Files has been anything but idle, with numerous other projects in the works.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 always busy which makes it great,B次元官网网址� he said.

SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw is already developing a new series, Ocean Warriors, that focuses on First Nations Coast Guards from Ahousat on Vancouver Island along the B.C. coast to Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity for us to highlight these mariners, their families and their communities,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a great series. I know thereB次元官网网址檚 going to be some amazing stories.B次元官网网址�

SxwithulB次元官网网址檛xw looks back on all his accomplishments with pride and the pleasure itB次元官网网址檚 brought him.

B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 know what life is going to offer. Work hard and stay focused and do what you love.B次元官网网址�