Over the past 18 years, the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network (APTN) has been covering important news, sharing underrepresented stories, and offering much-needed perspectives on a range of issues.

With a primary focus on First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples’ stories, APTN is vital to Canada’s media landscape.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) has recognized this, calling upon APTN to play a leadership role in supporting reconciliation through its rich coverage of Indigenous peoples.

And, now, APTN’s license is up for renewal before the CRTC, and you can offer your individual support.  

Register your support

Canadian Media Guild (CMG) members at APTN appreciate the opportunity the network offers to work in the media industry. People are able to learn and develop skills, do meaningful work, and make a living from it.

According to one CMG member at APTN: “If you’re Aboriginal anywhere, and you are trying to break into the broadcasting industry, there may be no better place for you to do it than at APTN.”

When we support APTN, we’re also supporting APTN’s workers, including CMG members.

And, as audiences, we all benefit from the stories APTN is able to bring forward, connecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.

Our union will therefore be supporting APTN’s license renewal application, including the mandatory carriage status for the not-for-profit broadcaster, a small 5-cent fee increase in the basic subscription fee, and the network’s commitment to in-house production.

Please consider telling the CRTC what APTN means to you and why you would like to see it thrive in our media landscape.

The deadline for submitting your comment in support is Friday, December 8.

Here’s how to submit your comments:

1. Go to the CRTC site here. (You can also find APTN’s application on this page if you want to read more about it.)

2. Click on the Submit button for Notice number 2017-365and  2017-365-1

3. Choose applicant/licensee: Click the box beside Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network

4. Click “In Support” in the first box. In the second box, copy and paste your comments in support of APTN

5. Indicate whether or not you would want to appear at the hearing to say more about your support for APTN; confirm your answer or give reasons you want to appear

6. Fill in your information – make sure you complete the required areas

7.Confirmation of Service: Click the box that says you agree to send a copy of your intervention to APTN

8. Click the box beside “I have read and I accept the Terms and Conditions” then click “Submit”.

9. When you get the submission by email, forward it to Jean Larose (jlarose@aptn.ca), the applicant and you’re done.

This is a great opportunity to support a worthwhile endeavour.

Please consider taking 15 minutes between now and this upcoming Friday to register your support for APTN.

Please also feel free to share this request with friends and loved ones who you feel may be interested.

With thanks, in solidarity – 

Kamala Rao
National President, Canadian Media Guild