TORONTO—Ten-year-old Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat has filmed her first commercial and has since landed a role in a major commercial of the Joy Smith Foundation in the past few months.
“Emilee Ann signed with Vancouver-based Midnight Artisans in November 2021 and has been auditioning for movies and commercials,” said Sara Pitwanakwat of her daughter Emilee Ann. The Pitawanakwats are from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. The senior Ms. Pitawanakwat was born in Little Current and raised in Wiikwemkoong. Emilee Ann was born in Toronto but knows the community of Wiikwemkoong very well.
“One thing that happened last year is she auditioned for a part in the drama series Sweet Tooth on Netflix. After she auditioned Emilee Ann got a call back for a second audition, one of five candidates in North America for the role,” said Sara.
While Emilee Ann did not get the part, “it was amazing how she handled it,” said Sara. “She didn’t get discouraged at all. It was just after that she filmed her first commercial with the Dairy Farmers of Canada, in July. This was a huge thing for her.” The commercial focuses on the importance of milk for young people to help them stay active and healthy.
“Then just before Christmas Emilee Ann auditioned for (and got a role) in a public service (internet and print) commercial released by the Joy Smith Foundation,” said Sara. She explained, “they are about educating people about the increasing problem of human trafficking and ‘know the signs’ for young people who are being targeted. It is a heavy topic especially when you consider she is only 10 and in Grade 5.”
“This was her first lead in a commercial,” said Sara, who pointed out her daughter, “has been on a film set before. She was one of four actors, the others being 17 and 18 years old.”
“I was very proud that she landed this role especially on such an important topic,” said Sara. “And it opened up communication between her and I on the subject of human trafficking, so she understands for instance why I tell her to call me when she is leaving school and on her way home.”
Sara said her daughter was involved in an incident directly involving an inappropriate act just before filming the commercial. “I remember we were in the mall one day before the filming in this role. I told her I wanted to go into a store, and she asked if she could sit on a bench in the main concourse of the mall. I kept my eye on her from the store. When I went to the cash register to pay for the items I was buying, Emilee Ann came in and stood beside me. She told me she had remembered talking about human trafficking and how predators bait their victims. She told me she had been sitting on the bench and an older man sitting at the end of the bench slid over and put his arm over the armrest around her. Em walked away immediately because she is aware of having her space. I was so proud of her.”
“I talked to the Joy Smith Foundation and they are going to be launching the commercial on internet and in print on February 22. We are both pretty excited about that, especially because the commercial focuses on such an important topic,” said Sara.
In late January the ‘Kids Helpline’ contacted the family about booking Emilee Ann for a commercial, but since they will be taking holidays at that time, she had to decline the offer.
“On September 29 the Truth and Reconciliation Centre hosted and filmed a concert in Mississauga,” said Sara. The live show included many well-known musical artists including Susan Aglukark, Mimi O’Bonsawin, Neon Dreams and more.
Sara and Emilee Ann met with Joy Smith. “It was really nice, and I think a beautiful friendship is blossoming with her. We will be working with the foundation in the future.”
“I’m in awe of everything that Em does,” said Sara. “I will just say to her your agent called and wants to know if you want to audition for a commercial, film, dance and she almost always says yes. The only time she said no was a week after the Truth and Reconciliation concert recording, when she said her legs were tired from all the dancing she had done. She works really hard for a little girl.”
