NARRATOR: December 30, 2013.
In an international television news broadcast,
Former Canadian Minister of National Defense,
Paul Hellyer, makes an astonishing statement.
He claims to have knowledge
that extraterrestrials are visiting Earth.
Why do you say that UFOs are as real
as the airplanes flying over our heads?
Well, because I know that they are.
And they've been visiting this planet
for thousands of years.
And there is what is called a federation
of these people, and they have rules.
NARRATOR: The interview sent shockwaves through the media.
Viewers questioned why a high-level official
would make such an announcement.
Paul Hellyer first came forward in 2005
but it wasn't until January of 2014
that his story truly went viral.
HELLYER: That gave me the dubious distinction of being
the first person of cabinet rank in the G8 group of countries
who ever said categorically,
without reservation, UFOs are real,
and you have to accept them as being real.
This is difficult territory.
But I understand there's a federation
that is monitoring us most closely,
and keeping tabs on us.
NARRATOR: Could there be truth to Hellyer's statements?
Is it possible that there is a galactic federation
of extraterrestrials overseeing Earth?
But if so, what is the evidence
behind such astounding claims?
Edgewood Arsenal, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
1952.
As part of a secret government program
termed Project Penguin,
medical doctor and psychiatrist Andrija Puharich
set up a special laboratory
where psychics and military personnel
gathered to investigate psychological manipulation
and hallucinogenic drugs.
Perhaps one of the most compelling
and controversial aspects of Puharich's research
was channeling, which involved making contact
with non-physical beings through the use of psychics.
It's very important that we understand that
this was a serious scientific endeavor.
No candles or holy water or any of that was used.
Puharich used the Faraday cage,
a copper room that was specially insulated
according to U.S. Naval standards,
that would prohibit mid-level electromagnetic waves
and electrostatic.
In this Faraday cage,
individuals would relax and allow
the mind-over-matter signal to take place.
NARRATOR: In December 1952,
Puharich invited Hindu mystic
and doctor, D.G. Vinod,
to one of these channeling sessions.
During the experiment, Vinod went into a deep trance
and made contact with a group of entities called The Nine.
At the very beginning, they just announced themselves
as nine principles of the universe.
Well, that's pretty big to start with, but nevertheless,
they said they were extraterrestrials.
They were forces from beyond.
The Nine said that they were an eternal presence,
that they had been watching humanity
from the very beginning.
And that they were gods, guides,
and this was what particularly interested Puharich.
The idea that, if they are gods,
they, of course, have wisdom.
And Puharich wanted to ask for guidance.
The Nine came up with a number of different messages
involving their being guardians
for the human race, creators even.
PICKNETT: Puharich said "What is your name?
Who are you?"
And that was the great revelation
because the being said,
"I am Atum."
And Atum was the great father god of ancient Egypt
and introducing not only the nine principles
but the Nine Great Gods or the Ennead of ancient Egypt.
NARRATOR: Is it possible that Puharich actually made contact
with the nine Great Gods of Egypt?
Could this be evidence of a longstanding federation
of extraterrestrials overseeing earthly affairs?