As APTN prepares special programming for its 2012 news and current affairs fall season, one topic of interest is the anniversary of the country’s national Aboriginal television network.
On September 1, it will be 13 years since the launch of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. To coincide with this anniversary, a new book about the characters, stories and history behind the launch of the APTN has just been released, called Original People: Original Television.
As reported by Jennifer David, the inside story of how the world's first national Aboriginal TV network came into being is not only a print product, but it’s also available as an e-book for popular readers and portable media devices.
Today, APTN National News, APTN InFocus and APTN Investigates are among the specialty service’s top programs, and they start a new season September 3.
The programs are available online after broadcast, and station representatives say they are looking into live streaming and mobile device applications for its schedule. The channel is in the preliminary stages of establishing and confirming digital delivery plans.
Special events and national celebrations of aboriginal culture are occasionally live streamed now, such as the APTN coverage of Aboriginal Day Live.
It was not always the case, as David’s book recalls.
For nearly a century, Aboriginal people in film and television were either victims, villains, or vanquished. All that suddenly changed in 1999, when Canadians were introduced to the world's first national Aboriginal TV network, created by and reflecting the world of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
David was APTN's first Director of Communications, and was there through the tumultuous few years leading up to the creation of APTN.
From the earliest satellite experiments in northern Canada to new ways of telling community stories through video, to the launch of Television Northern Canada, David describes through interviews and recollections how, less than 10 years later, APTN launched.
Today, APTN is available in some 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008.
Special news programming of note for the2012 fall season will include full coverage of the Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry scheduled to begin September 5, as well as a one-hour special on the First Nations child welfare system which will air on September 7.
Michael Hutchinson and Cheryl McKenzie host APTN National News, broadcast Monday through Friday.
APTN InFocus, produced and hosted by APTN's senior correspondent Cheryl McKenzie, returns Wednesdays, starting September 12 as the final segment during the APTN National News broadcast. Expert panellists, including academics, journalists, professionals in their field, community members as well as youth will discuss critical issues and the successes affecting Aboriginal communities.
APTN Investigates, hosted by Todd Lamirande, returns for its 4th season on September 14. The APTN Investigates reporters dig deep into the most complex issues of the day, including ‘designer drug use’, residential school deaths and more.
Published by Debwe Communications Inc., the new APTN book is now available online and in select bookstores.