Trading Places (Series 1) - Episode 1 - A Northern Exchange

This episode of Trading Places showcases the cultural exchange between two families, whose lives are as different as can be. Northerners Bob Kussy and his wife, Goota Ashoona, live in Yellowknife and carve soapstone and whalebone for a living. Their twin sons, Sam and Joe, are soccer-loving 13 year-olds, and Kuzi, their 17 year-old nephew from Kinngait (formerly known as Cape Dorset), is a promising carver who lives with the family to further his education.

Hailing from Winnipeg, the Sudermans are prairie folk. Ann operates a daycare in her home and Duane is a print shop salesperson and Red River College computer software student. Their kids are Jon, 19, Andrew, 16, and Jessica, 11. Both families enjoy quality time together, either through organized activities like the Sudermans or in a free-spirited manner like the Kussy/Ashoonas.

Not knowing their destination until they arrive at the airport, both families feel surprise, excitement, and even frustration as they try to make sense of each other's world. The Winnipeg family has only three days to learn to carve and present three "commissioned" works to a Yellowknife art gallery. They also learn to throat sing, make bannock, coach soccer, and go canoeing. The Yellowknife clan battles Winnipeg traffic to get to work in the print shop, goes bowling and rock climbing, and finds their way to a 'family' dinner. They also operate a daycare and host a ladies' tea - all in someone else's house.