b'SHOW DEVELOPMENTShow creator Geena Jackson, centre, flanked by fellow judges Robert Louie, Tabatha Bull and Dave TuccaroThe Birth ofBEARS LAIR By Gavin JohnG e e T h e s t o r y o fM anyoftodaysrealitydifferently, and the seeds for a new TV shows are born inkind of business reality TV show were n a J a c k s o n sLosAngeles,underplanted in her head. One where the palm trees and amongcold and brutal world of the genres d r e a m t odreams of the talentedpredecessors would cede to kindness, and ambitious. It takes a ruthless drivecooperation, inclusion, community c r e a t e a n e wto succeed in Hollywood, and for theand a celebration of culture. very few who make it, their shows often a n d u n i q u e l ybear the hallmarks of the path theyThere was no reason for the industry I n d i g e n o u stook. Shows like Shark Tank exemplifyto be so cruel and competitive thecutthroatworldofstartups,where cooperation would be just as w a y o f d o i n gentrepreneurs and dreamers lookingeffective, Jackson felt. So rather than for their big break. There is often nobeing the source of her dream, L.A. c o m p e t i t i v eroom for kindness, only sharp, brutalwould become a cautionary tale on and zero-sum outcomes. what not to become in business. I r e a l i t yT V come from a background of raising This didnt sit right with a Coast Salishpeople up, and I found that it wasnt woman from British Columbia wholike that there, reflects Jackson, early in her career found herself inthe creator of Bears Lair, a new Hollywood chasing the dream. GeenaIndigenous reality TV show that airs Jackson felt things could be doneon APTN in the fall. 16A CCAB PUBLICATION2022'