APTN admits it misrepresented Ted Turner

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The Aboriginal People's Television Network (APTN) will apologize to billionaire and media mogul Ted Turner for a story that aired on its national current affairs program InVision.

Comments by Ted Turner used in the story were taken out of context, portraying him as racially insensitive.

Turner is the owner of CNN, a bison rancher, and was a guest speaker at the International Bison Conference held from Aug. 1 to 4 in Edmonton. He took time during a press conference to answer questions about the bison industry, and APTN freelancer Niki Jenkins was there. Her story aired Aug. 6 and included a comment from Turner.

Jenkins reported in a voice-over that "the cost of bison meat places it out of reach for most Aboriginal consumers. But bison producer and billionaire Ted Turner says it can be affordable, if they would change their habits."

What's seen next is Turner saying, "If they drink less beer they can eat more bison. I don't drink any beer so I can afford it."

The reporter's voice is again heard. "That comment has this Native leader outraged." The camera then shows a woman reacting to Turner's comment.

Devalon Small Legs, a cultural advisor from the Peigan First Nation, heard about Turner's comment after he had transferred a buffalo robe to Turner at the closing ceremonies of the bison conference. The transfer was to encourage Turner to consider Aboriginal people and culture in relation to his work to replenish bison numbers.

"It's too bad we didn't know earlier," said Small Legs at the time. "Well, if he said that and meant it in a negative way. . . . We have grabbed him and wrapped him in the robe. The buffalo will hold him and guide him back to do right. If it comes out that he meant it that way, he will apologize. The buffalo will lead him."

But Small Legs had the opportunity to review audio used in the story APTN aired, as well as the unedited, or raw, footage of the questions that the freelance reporter asked during the press conference. He believes Turner is owed the apology.

Windspeaker transcribed the raw footage.

Jenkins: "Does the bison producing industry in any way benefit Aboriginal people?"

Turner: "Absolutely. In fact, there are quite a few Aboriginals here. . . . The Native Americans are finding that it's real good for their culture and children and everything to be involved in bison, because it's historically a great part of their culture."

Jenkins: "Doesn't the high cost of bison, at least throughout Canada, it's very expensive."

Turner: "Compared to what? Not compared to lobster."

Jenkins: "Compared to beef."

Turner: "That's right, but beef is not good for you, because you'll have a heart attack. How much is your life worth? A few dollars more and bison meat is so rich that you only need about half a slice for a serving. It's pure meat."

Jenkins: "It seems like the average consumer cannot afford to eat bison on a regular basis?"

Turner: "Well that depends. It depends on what else they do. If they drink less beer, they could eat more bison. I don't drink any beer, so I can afford it."

Jenkins: "So are you saying Native Americans drink a lot of beer?"

Turner: "I'm not talking about Natives. I'm talking about all people. Oh, were you talking about Native Americans? Oh, I'm sorry. Well, I don't know what the Native Canadian Americans have, but, as far as money is concerned, but in the United States, believe it or not, government buys a lot of the food for the Indians. Last year the U.S. government bought bison meat for Native American reservations, which they were very happy about. The U.S. government has a large surplus, which they are trying to give back to the rich. I think it would be better if they bought some bison meat and gave it back to the Native Americans. It would be a better use of the surplus."

Small Legs' reaction was swift.

"I am satisfied with what I [heard] in the raw footage, that Mr. Turner did not and has not made derogaory comments respecting Aboriginal peopl. And as an Aboriginal person, the news agency that aired the story should think twice about what they are putting on the news."

Notice of APTN's retraction came just hours before Windspeaker was set to go to press. Until then, APTN was standing firm behind its report.

APTN's news director Dan David said on Aug. 30 that Turner's answers to Jenkin's questions fell within an Aboriginal context.

"I've taken a look at the whole story and I don't think that it was taken out of context. I think that it was a fair representation of a conversation of questions and answers and it's unfortunate sometimes when people say things where there is a reporter," said David. "The context of the conversation that I saw was by an Aboriginal reporter asking about the industry and how it affects Aboriginal people."

But by late afternoon on Aug. 31, David had changed his tune.

"The conclusion is that there is a very real possibility that the story took the, that particular clip was taken out of context. It gave the wrong impression and our conclusion is that the story was wrong."

David said he had been in touch with Mr. Turner's representatives and an apology would air.

"It was a very short clip and a fairly long exchange that began about Aboriginal people and how they could benefit and it turned into a Ted Turner little speech about how bison meat was better, more healthy for Aboriginal people than beef. He was having a nice time. He was joking and the next question came up and the question didn't mention Aboriginal people at all," David explained.

"We'll dissect the story and explain to the audience why it was wrong," he said.

The Turner Foundation gives financial support to several U.S. Native American organizations. In Canada, the foundation has provided thousands of dollars to the David Suzuki Foundation; EAGLE (of the Semiahmoo First Nation); Ecotrust Canada and the Nanakila Institute in relation to First Nations righs, forestry, fishing, and conservation economic developent.

TBS (Turner Broadcasting Station) also developed the documentary The Native Americans and the movie Lakota Woman, as well as other Native American productions.