The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network In Canada: Entertainment Programs, Documentaries, Cooking Shows and Even Bingo And A Movie.

The launch of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, or APTN, in the Fall of 1999 marked a significant milestone for Aboriginal Canada. For the first time in broadcast history, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people would have the opportunity to share their stories with the rest of the world on a national television network dedicated to Aboriginal programming. Through documentaries, news magazines, dramas, entertainment specials, childrens’ series, cooking shows and education programs, APTN offers all Canadians a window into the remarkably diverse worlds of Indigenous peoples in Canada and throughout the world.

Headquartered in Winnipeg, APTN offers an unprecedented opportunity for Aboriginal producers, directors, actors, writers and media professionals to create innovative, reflective and relevant programming for viewers. More than 70% of APTN’s programming originates in Canada, with 60% of the programs broadcast in English, 15% in French and 25% in a variety of Aboriginal languages.

In 1998, an Angus Reid survey revealed that two thirds of Canadians supported the idea of a national aboriginal TV network, even if it would mean displacing a currently offered service. A subsequent poll conducted by Pollara Research indicated that 68% of Canadians would be willing to pay a fifteen cent increase in their monthly cable bill to receive an Aboriginal network.

With the strong support for a national network among Aboriginal communities, producers and organizations, and the Canadian public, the CRTC announced in February 1999 that APTN would receive a national broadcast license. Through the efforts of countless Aboriginal television professionals and supporters nation-wide, APTN became a reality on September 1, 1999, and has become an important entertainment, news and educational programming choice for 8 million households in Canada.

Some of the programs that you can find on APTN.

Buffalo Tracks
Fridays at 8:30 PM, repeating at 1:30 AM ET

Buffalo Tracks is a entertainment talk show and one of the most exciting shows on APTN. Buffalo Tracks features talented Aboriginal people working in diverse fields ranging from politics to performing arts to medicine. Now in its second season, Buffalo Tracks presents 26 brand new shows on a brand new set with a brand new host! The host this season is the talented stage and screen actor LORNE CARDINAL. His credits include recurring roles in Blackfly, The City, Jake and the Kid and North of 60. Returning to Buffalo Tracks is last year's house band the PAPPY JOHNS BAND, who just released their first CD "Blame It On Monday". Woven throughout each show are comedy skits featuring Lorne and Guests. Grandma Susie also drops by on occasion with her latest adventures from the North. Each show features talented musical guests including ANNIE HUMPHREY, SHINGOOSE, LORRIE CHURCH, RONNIE DOUGLAS BLUES BAND, DON ROSS, to name a few of the extraordinary musicians who will grace the Buffalo Tracks set.

Sharing Circle
Wednesdays at 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM

Join Lisa Meeches and Tina Keeper, along with reporters from across Canada, the Dakotas, the Yukon, Hawaii and beyond, as they gather stories affecting the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada and the world.

Cooking With the Wolfman
Season II
Weekdays, 11:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET

Join international award-winning chef David Wolfman and his special guest Loma Mathias for delicious Aboriginal fusion food ideas and demonstrations.

Cooking With the Wolfman
Season III
Saturdays, 3:30 PM and 10:00 PM ET
In Season III chef David Wolfman is joined by special guests from across Canada. Drop in for delicious Aboriginal fusion food ideas, preparation demonstrations, and insights into the lives and talents of his entertaining guests.

The Longhouse Tales
* English: Each Day at 10:00 AM,
* French: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 AM ET

Join Tom Jackson and his curious animal friends in this visually stunning children’s series that features puppetry, live action and computer graphics. Based on traditional aboriginal characters and mythology, The Longhouse Tales takes viewers on a magical journey of learning and adventure.

Miracle In The Wilderness
Directed by Kevin James Dobson (1992)

Jericho Adams (Kris Kristofferson), his wife, Dana (Kim Cattrall) and their son are taken hostage by a raiding party of Blackfeet Indians. The Blackfeet Chief is seeking revenge for the death of his son, killed in self-defense by Jericho many years ago. The Chief now plans to take Dana's son in place of his own, after he kills Jericho. Dana tells the raiding party the story of Christmas - of how God sacrificed his only son to save mankind. Will the message get through to the Chief - will he change his mind so that Jericho and his family may live?

APTN's BINGO & a MOVIE
Friday’s at 9pm, EST and rebroadcast on Saturday’s at 7pm, EST, starting January 4, 2002.

Yes, that’s right. Now, you can watch one of APTN’s great movies, play bingo throughout the program and win thousands in cash and prizes.

Free Bingo and a Movie Cards are being distributed as inserts in Sun newspapers and Aboriginal and Northern newspapers across Canada. The list of great movies includes Black Robe, Dance Me Outside, Squanto, A Warriors Tale and Never Cry Wolf.

Bingo and a Movie will be hosted by Darrell Dennis, fresh off the Second City stage. He provides a lighthearted and comedic approach to the game and the movie itself. Misty (born-in-a-bingo-hall) Lowery is our delightful bingo caller. Watch for guest drop-in’s to participate in the fun.

How it all came to be...21 years in the making...

1978-1982: The Anik B Experiments. Inuit organizations in Nunavut and Northern Quebec participate in pilot projects to test communications satellites in applications such as TV broadcasting, community communications, tele-education and tele-health.

1980: CRTC establishes the Committee on Extension of Service to Northern and Remote Communities (the Therrien Committee). The subsequent report stressed the urgent need for special measures to allow aboriginal people to preserve their languages and foster their culture through various broadcasting initiatives.

CRTC licenses CANCOM to deliver a range of southern programming into northern and remote communities. As a quid pro quo, CANCOM is required to provide assistance to northern aboriginal broadcasters.

1983: Government of Canada announces the Northern Broadcasting Policy and the Northern Native Broadcast Access Program. Public funds are allocated for the production of radio and television programs by thirteen native communications societies across the north.

1985: CRTC releases its Northern Native Broadcasting policy statement. This policy establishes certain short term measures to ensure native broadcasters have access to existing northern distribution systems, but it also emphasizes that a dedicated northern transponder would be required to handle the volume of programming and to ensure that programs were scheduled at appropriate times.

1986: The Task Force on Broadcasting Policy (Caplan-Sauvageau report) recommends a satellite transponder be dedicated to servicing northern communities

1987: Northern aboriginal communications societies, as well as Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Government of the Northwest Territories meet to discuss the future of television in the North

1988: Minister of Communications announces support for a northern aboriginal network to be known as Television Northern Canada (TVNC).

1991: The new Broadcasting Act recognizes the special place of aboriginal peoples within Canadian society.

1991: CRTC licenses TVNC.

1992: Inaugural launch of TVNC.

June 1997: TVNC Board of Directors votes to move forward towards the establishment of a national aboriginal television network.

November 1997: TVNC appears before the CRTC’s hearings into Third National Networks and contends that aboriginal broadcasting should be considered alongside English and French as vital broadcasting services.

December 1997: TVNC representatives attend the Assembly of First Nations’ Annual General Assembly where the AFN unanimously passes a resolution supporting TVNC’s efforts to establish APTN.

February 1998: In Public Notice CRTC 1998-8 the CRTC recognizes TVNC as "a unique and significant undertaking" and that a national aboriginal channel should be "widely available throughout Canada in order to serve the diverse needs of the various Aboriginal communities, as well as other Canadians." The Commission also states it would consider any application by TVNC designed to achieve these objectives.

January 1998: TVNC conducts an Angus Reid survey that finds two out of three Canadians support the idea of a national aboriginal TV network, even if it would mean displacing a currently offered service.

February 1998: TVNC establishes an Advisory Group of southern aboriginal people involved in the media to assist the TVNC Board of Directors in meeting the needs and aspirations of southern aboriginal producers. Members are: Gary Farmer, Alanis Obomsawin, Roman Bittman, Jim Compton, Barb Cranmer, John Kim Bell, Ghislain Picard (Jean La Rose, alternate).

June 1998: TVNC submits an application to the CRTC for a broadcast license for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). This application contains full details on programming schedule, financial projections, technical specifications, marketing studies and structure.

August 1998: The TVNC application becomes a public document, available for viewing. TVNC begins to gather letters of support for APTN.

October 1998: TVNC receives more than 300 letters of support, from all regions of Canada.

November 1998: TVNC appears at a CRTC public hearing to defend and discuss the application. 20 individuals also present interventions in support of TVNC.

February 22,1999: CRTC grants a broadcast license to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

September 1, 1999: APTN is launched nationally to over 8 million homes via cable television, direct-to-home and wireless service viewers.

For more information on the APTN, visit their website at www.aptn.ca

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