Spirit Bay

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Spirit Bay was an aboriginal family television show that aired on CBC Television and TVOntario from 1982 to 1987. The show focuses on life in an Ojibwe reservation town in Northern Ontario. It set the stage for all other native Canadian programming thereafter, and paved the way for many famous first nations, Canadian actors like Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Gary Farmer, Shirley Cheechoo and Monique Mojica. George Clutesi appeared in one memorable episode that dealt with the white man's upsetting of ancient native burial grounds.

One of the child stars of the show was Trevor Smith, who played Rabbit. In addition to acting in The Rez and Cheaper by the Dozen 2, Smith later appeared on the reality television series U8TV: The Lofters and is now an animal control officer and media spokesperson for the Toronto Humane Society. Other child actors on the show included the Debassige sisters (Diane and Cynthia), Lance Migwans and Eugene Thompson.

The theme song was penned by Canadian music and acting legend Buffy Sainte Marie.

The show was shot on location in MacDiarmid, Ontario on Lake Nipigon.