APTN slowly taking root

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Since the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) hit the airwaves last September, the first and only Aboriginal-controlled TV network has been trying to change the way people view First Nations issues.

Abraham Tagalik, APTN chief operating officer, said that's what the network stands for.

"We wanted to have Aboriginal people telling their own stories - through their own eyes - from their own points of view. From what I've seen so far it seems to be working well," he said. "An overwhelming variety of Canadians are excited about our different approach to programming. It's enlightening them as well as entertaining. Comments have also been to say that it is great to see quality programs not seen normally on mainstream television."

Although the viewing audience has been small in the outset, Tagalik is optimistic that it will increase and allow APTN get a firm hold of a national viewership.

"Daily access to approximately eight million Canadian homes is a start. Aboriginal people have never had a forum with so much direct access to the minds and hearts of a dominant culture until now," he said. "I often equate this story to looking into a mirror; we have not seen ourselves in the mirror of television until now. All or most of the imagery has been stereotypical in nature; Aboriginals portrayed as ruthless savages lurking in the outskirts, in contrast to the hero white man in a broad rim white cowboy hat. Or in a newscast where we are fishing illegally on someone else's land. APTN is the perfect vehicle to break down those very barriers of misunderstanding, to build hope in the youth of today for a better society."

APTN is setting up a fully functional newsroom and studio which will be completed by the end of March. A network of staff and free-lance reporters is already being assembled.

Dan David, APTN's news director, said the goal is to "Set up a network that didn't exist before . . . pull in stories about Aboriginal peoples from every part of Canada; north and south, east and west, urban and remote. Start off small and slow. Build steam gradually. Do some tough stories, some funny stories, some human stories. And have fun doing it."

Tracey Bonneau-Jack of Penticton's ULLUS collective hopes APTN won't lose sight of the importance of regional programming. She points out that each Indigenous nation is distinct and, therefore, a centralized approach will not reflect the reality of Indigenous communities. ULLUS has had a great deal of success in encouraging Aboriginal people to work in all aspects of the media in British Columbia and she believes APTN could take this movement to the national level.

"The APTN is a milestone achievement for all Aboriginal groups," Bonneau-Jack said. "It has been long overdue that the CRTC approve such a license. I believe in the mission statement of APTN and I am encouraged even more that a priority for Aboriginal producers and directors is given. APTN's programming is growing at the pace it should. It might have a few bumps along the way but I'm looking at the long term and this network can only mean greater understanding and original programming for all Canadians."