Indigiqueer women discover romance in Querencia
Ah, to be young and in love—although many a love story has been told time and time again, there remain many matters of the heart that have not yet found their way on to screens.
That’s particularly the case when it comes to Indigiqueer tales, which have been rendered almost invisible in mainstream media—and a new Vancouver-shot series hopes to change that.
Querencia, an eight-episode comingof-age web series by writer-director Mary Galloway, chronicles the blossoming of a romance between two young Indigenous women who attempt to bridge the gap between their differing cultural backgrounds and the complexities of their identities. The traditional, shy, and closeted Daka, played by Kaitlyn Yott (Charmed), has left home for the first time and moved to Vancouver. In the city, she pursues her dreams of becoming a professional dancer and has to audition against stiff competition.
Through a dating app, she winds up meeting the urban and out-and-proud Abe, portrayed by Galloway (whose acting credits include Ruthless Souls, Fire Song, and Never Steady, Never Still). Abe, a struggling musician who lacks a connection to her cultural heritage, is ready to leave her past relationship behind as she and Daka, despite their differences, follow the stirrings of their hearts.
Galloway explained in a news release that the idea for the series arose from her own yearning to see Indigiqueer stories on-screen.
“Growing up, I had no one who I could look to on-screen that I felt wholly connected to,” she said. “I hope that this show gives our Indigiqueer young adults something to turn to, to connect with, and to feel like they belong.”
Galloway and series producer Jessie Anthony (Brother, I Cry) won the APTN/ imagine NATIVE Web Series Pitch Competition in 2019 and also received further funding from the Canadian Film Academy’s Telefilm Talent to Watch to expand the series. In time for Pride Month, the series launched live on the APTN lumi site on June 1.