APTN is embracing a new way of celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) by focusing on community engagement and continuing to place a strong emphasis on entertaining programming for June 21.
This initiative is part of APTN’s wider commitment to enhancing content for audiences throughout Turtle Island, as highlighted by the CRTC’s recent approval for the new Indigenous languages channel, APTN Languages.
Acting Good’s Roger Laughingstick, portrayed by actor Billy Merasty, will host the day of special programming, including an Acting Good marathon. The Best of IDL and Le Grand Solstice showcase the incredible Indigenous music scene that exists across Turtle Island. There will also be special programming from APTN Investigates.
“NIPD is a day to celebrate the positive and inspirational contributions of Indigenous Peoples. By showcasing the best we have in comedy, music, and professional achievement, and by bringing our teams out into communities, APTN will reflect what it means to be Indigenous in 2024,” said APTN Director of TV Content and Special Events Adam Garnet Jones. “While each community has a unique way of celebrating, we also want to demonstrate that there are threads of commonality that bring us all together.”
APTN National News will cut in live from across Canada throughout the day, showcasing how communities are celebrating NIPD. Reporters will speak with community members and report on events as they unfold, bringing diverse celebrations from different Nations into Canadian living rooms.
Join the APTN National News team in the following communities:
Sipekne’katik, N.S. – Freedom Day
Ottawa, Ont. – Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival
Selkirk, Man. – Manitoba Métis Federation – National Indigenous Peoples Day
Winnipeg, Man. – TOOT AASAAMB
New Westminster, B.C. – National Indigenous Peoples Day
Whitehorse, Yukon – Kwanlin Dun Cultural Society
Montreal, Que. – Journée nationale des peuples autochtones/National Indigenous Peoples Day
“As a national television network, APTN connects communities through multiple platforms, providing a space for people to share their experiences,” said APTN Executive Director of News and Current Affairs Cheryl McKenzie. “Our reporters and video journalists will provide an opportunity for Canadians to witness the immense diversity of Indigenous cultures and perspectives.”
The broadcast will be shared on all APTN channels and via livestream allowing the celebration to be made available to most Canadian households.
