Between Two Worlds

In the first episode of Between Two Worlds, we meet Dan and Vera. Dan, a Mi’kmaq-Mohawk man, builds a chair without directions. Later, he and Vera, who is Serbian-Greek, talk about their expectations.

After Zoe is born, Dan talks about the first few months of being a father. A call to his grandma reveals the family is expecting to see them in Listuguj within the month. Later, Dan, Vera and Zoe catch a train to visit everyone in Listuguj.

Dan reminisces about Listuguj, or “home,” and wants Zoe to have a connection to Listuguj. The whole family celebrates the arrival of Zoe with a lobster feast. Dan’s mom, Karen, talks about the cultural significance of the feast.

Dan and his cousin Eli visit Sipuk, the river where they spent a lot of their time as children. While at Sipuk, Dan wonders how he’ll be able to connect Zoe to Listuguj and Mi’kmaq culture. Dan’s aunt, Diane, offers to teach Dan Mi’kmaq over Skype.

Dan and Vera take Zoe to Akwesasne, the second of her homelands, to meet the Mohawk side of the family. When they arrive, they go to Zoe’s first lacrosse game. Dan’s dad and Elder Mike Mitchell talk about how the healing power of lacrosse in their community.

While in Akwesasne, Dan’s dad Harold tells the meandering history of how his family name found its way to Akwesasne. Dan reads historical documents with Zoe about their Tarbell ancestry and the founding of Akwesasne as a Mohawk community.