Vainio receives Emmy nomination
9/17/2009
By Stephanie Tahtinen
Vainio's husband examines a patient. Photo by Rauli Virtanen.
UWS Multicultural Student Specialist Ivy Vainio can now add “Emmy nomination” to her list of accomplishments.
Vainio is the producer of Walking into the Unknown, a documentary film dealing with health issues faced by Native American men. The film was nominated in the cultural documentary category of the Midwest Emmy Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The awards ceremony will be held September 26 in Minneapolis.
“Hopefully there will be a picture of me and Jay [Schlender, a former UWS student featured in the film] holding the statue,” joked Vainio. Although Vainio said the nomination was an honor, the real reward is seeing the positive impact the film is making on members of tribal communities.
“It’s making people think and making people go in [to see their doctor],” said Vainio.
The 65-minute film follows Vainio’s husband Dr. Arne Vainio – a doctor on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation – as the roles are reversed and he is the patient going through routine examinations such as a prostate exam and a colonoscopy.
The film also features two UWS students – Jay Schlender, who graduated in May, and Sam Maday, two younger Native American males who have lost their fathers due to unhealthy lifestyles.
“The students’ stories really show how it affects the sons, daughters, and families when someone dies early,” said Vainio. “They’re moving, powerful testimonials.”
Although the film is targeted towards Native American men, Vainio stressed the message is “cross cultural. These health issues affect everybody.”
For further information about the film or to find a list of upcoming screenings, go to www.walkingintotheunknown.com.
Vainio is the producer of Walking into the Unknown, a documentary film dealing with health issues faced by Native American men. The film was nominated in the cultural documentary category of the Midwest Emmy Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The awards ceremony will be held September 26 in Minneapolis.
“Hopefully there will be a picture of me and Jay [Schlender, a former UWS student featured in the film] holding the statue,” joked Vainio. Although Vainio said the nomination was an honor, the real reward is seeing the positive impact the film is making on members of tribal communities.
“It’s making people think and making people go in [to see their doctor],” said Vainio.
The 65-minute film follows Vainio’s husband Dr. Arne Vainio – a doctor on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation – as the roles are reversed and he is the patient going through routine examinations such as a prostate exam and a colonoscopy.
The film also features two UWS students – Jay Schlender, who graduated in May, and Sam Maday, two younger Native American males who have lost their fathers due to unhealthy lifestyles.
“The students’ stories really show how it affects the sons, daughters, and families when someone dies early,” said Vainio. “They’re moving, powerful testimonials.”
Although the film is targeted towards Native American men, Vainio stressed the message is “cross cultural. These health issues affect everybody.”
For further information about the film or to find a list of upcoming screenings, go to www.walkingintotheunknown.com.
