Native American health documentary earns Emmy nomination

Film features Dr. Arne Vainio, physician on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation

SUPERIOR, Wis. – “Walking Into The Unknown,” a documentary film that traces the personal journey of a middle-aged American Indian male through the health care system, has earned an Emmy nomination in the Cultural Documentary category by the Midwest Emmy Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The film features Dr. Arne Vainio, a physician who works on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota. It was produced by Ivy Vainio and directed by Nate Maydole. Recent UW-Superior graduate Jason Schlender and current student Sam Maday, also participated.

“The film has had a huge impact whenever it’s been shown. Being nominated for an Emmy is above and beyond our wildest dreams and will hopefully help get this message out to all people regardless of race,” said Ivy Vainio, who works as a multicultural student specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. “We are extremely grateful for this nomination. We are looking forward to the awards ceremony on September 26th and hope the film wins an Emmy.”

“Walking into the Unknown” follows the personal journey of Dr. Arne Vainio, an Ojibwe family practice physican. Frustrated by middle-aged American Indian men not getting health screenings, he came to the realization that he, too, was avoiding the necessary screenings.

Facing all the health risk statistics for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer that many American Indians face, Vainio chose to undergo the medical screenings, diet changes, and new lifestyle necessary to override the fatal outcome experienced by many people. In the film, he takes viewers with him every step of the way on an intimate and fascinating walk into the unknown, as a doctor reverses roles and becomes the patient. The result is a poignant story of vulnerability and personal revelation that inspires and educates viewers.

“When we first started filming ‘Walking Into The Unknown,’ all we wanted was to raise awareness of men’s health issues and get men to realize the importance of health screening and prevention,” Arne Vainio said.

The film also features the stories of two younger American Indian men – Schlender and Maday -- who lost their fathers prematurely to the consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle. They offer powerful testimonials of who gets left behind when a family member dies early.

Schlender, who graduated from UW-Superior in May, is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe and lives in Red Cliff, Wis. Maday, a current UW-Superior student, is a member of the Bad River Band of Ojibwe and lives in Odanah, Wis.

“Walking Into The Unknown” was funded by the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa with partial support from the IHS Special Diabetes Program. Music was provided by Canyon Records and other artists.

More information about “Walking into the Unknown,” including links to health information, a list of screenings, and film excerpts, is available at http://www.walkingintotheunknown.com .

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