Sharing Our Stories
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Sharing Our Stories COMMUNIQUÉ 2015 Aboriginal Peoples Television Network APTN MISSION “APTN is sharing our Peoples’ journey, celebrating our cultures, inspiring our children and honouring the wisdom of our Elders.” ABOUT APTN September 1, 2015, marked the 16-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 11 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite, telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. The network launched its high-definition channel, APTN HD, in the spring of 2008. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 02 FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 HIGHLIGHTS 04 ABORIGINAL PRODUCTION 06 OUR PEOPLE 10 UNDERSTANDING OUR AUDIENCE 14 DIGITAL DRUM 17 ADVERTISING 18 SETTING THE TECHNOLOGICAL PACE 20 NEWS THAT NOT ONLY INFORMS BUT INSPIRES 22 CONDITIONS OF LICENCE 24 PROGRAMMING | WHAT’S ON 30 ABORIGINAL DAY LIVE & CELEBRATION 42 ATTACHMENT | INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION ACTIVITY (ORIGINAL PRODUCTION) FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jean La Rose As the world’s first national Aboriginal in the international and national broadcast industry. Another opportunity in the national broadcast network and Canada’s only independent This enables APTN to forge ahead and provide industry presented itself when Canada’s national national Aboriginal network, we programming on all platforms: three distinct feeds Aboriginal Radio network’s broadcasting licence and a high-definition channel, online and interactive of Aboriginal Voices Radio was revoked for non- are proud to acquire and broadcast new media, live programming, live streaming, compliance by the Canadian Radio-television programming that speaks to APTN’s and programming with multi-platform and user- and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). mission statement: “sharing our generated content in English, French and Aboriginal As a result, APTN recognized this could be an Peoples’ journey, celebrating our languages. The network’s forms of Indigenous opportunity to submit a proposal to the CRTC cultures, inspiring our children and programming are paramount for continued and could result in the potential creation of a new success through the traditional and increasing national Aboriginal radio station. APTN will be honouring the wisdom of our Elders.” shift to specialized digital channels for Canadian presenting a formal application for the five (5) urban The fiscal year 2014-2015 was one of looking to the broadcasters in the long term. radio licences on January 12, 2016. future of APTN. The network needs to continue This past fiscal year set the stage for opportunities As the senior management team keeps informed to grow and prepare to implement infrastructure that will contribute to APTN’s future growth, about opportunities for growth in the national and and technology at our bureaus. This is to ensure including the beginning of an impressive renovation international broadcasting landscape, we must that the network meets the needs of its viewers project at the adjacent building of our head bureau also remain focused on what has made APTN a and continues to attract an extensive, younger in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This new space will be the success. Each department is a key resource that Aboriginal audience. APTN also continues to appeal news bureau and will house the production studios make contributions to ensure the success of the to a growing non-Aboriginal Canadian audience of APTN National News. network and prepare APTN for changes to be met and must consider what is necessary to engage and exceeded in the broadcast industry for the next this segment. Further, the network must thrive in a Beyond moving to a new location for the network’s 5 to 10 years. rapidly changing Canadian broadcast industry as the news bureau, APTN is in the process of assessing the demand increases for multi-platform programming. financial feasibility and viability of an independently First and foremost, the network develops, managed network in the United States of America. commissions and acquires distinctive Aboriginal In order to prepare for what is needed to maintain This sister station would convey the stories of Native and Indigenous content that reflects our pride and growth, it is imperative that the network seeks out Americans to an American audience, similar to the heritage. Therefore, the Programming Department and identifies opportunities and adapts to changes Programming mandate at APTN. will continue in obtaining meaningful and compelling 2 Sharing Our Stories television productions as well as encouraging the Digital Drum initiative by building on its success a shift. Mr. Dan Vandal stepped down as Board creation of substantial digital media components to cultivate APTN’s Aboriginal youth audience and of Director at Large, Manitoba Region to pursue that will appeal to our viewers. In addition, the draw them into the primary audience. This is an political aspirations. I would like to express my most department will cultivate language programming, essential contribution to the network’s strategy of sincere thank you to our Board of Directors for their both in Aboriginal and French languages as these growth and audience development. advice during one of the network’s greatest times markets continue to grow. Also, the rise in the of progress. Sharing our stories, in particular, the current affairs Aboriginal youth population and French-language that affect our Peoples and all Canadians, is one APTN has come to make its impression on our Aboriginal population in Quebec are part of the of the foundations of the News Department. This audiences as the foremost Indigenous media broadening audience for APTN. ingenious national news team and supporting broadcaster and storyteller in Canada. The network’s APTN’s specialized and award-winning behind the scenes team will continue to develop programming shares stories that express our programming is made accessible to its viewers and its reporting format via social media, including live realities with Canadians and with others around audiences with the dedication of the network’s streaming on regionalized and up-to-the-minute the world. This has been achieved through the employees at all levels of the organization. The reporting related to social, economic and political extraordinarily impressive efforts and achievements Human Resources Department will continue to issues. In addition, in conjunction with the Human of our senior management team and staff. I would explore initiatives to recruit, train and retain new Resources Department, News will develop its like to extend my most sincere and heartfelt and current staff to produce purposeful work in Internship Program for the purpose of recruiting for gratitude to the APTN team as the network moves order to meet the shifting viewing trends of the the APTN National News team. on to the next phase of our journey together. network’s audience. This requires investing in our At the technical foundation of the network is a The past 16 years for APTN have resulted in the employees’ professional training and development team that is often unseen from the perspective sharing of the modern Indigenous experience to contribute to their job satisfaction. Another of viewers. The Operations Department has also through award-winning programming and the critical aspect of success for the human resources prepared for the changes that will continue to strengthening of the established and up-and- function is to maintain and cultivate partnerships occur at an increasingly rapid pace in the broadcast coming Indigenous production communities. We with post-secondary institutions. It is imperative to industry, and APTN is now able to integrate new now prepare to focus on what will be crucial for communicate with potential and future employees technologies to its broadcast Internet protocol APTN to continue its growth, and this is a very that APTN is recognized as an innovative workplace, network. Additional infrastructural change is exciting and pivotal time for all of us as we forge is lauded by industry associations and is an award- key for APTN as it focuses on growth, and as a ahead to increase our presence on various media via winning employer. result changes were made to master control. It multi-platform programming. The network’s programming is communicated was upgraded with the installation of a state-of- Now I invite you to read the Communiqué. Most in many forms to its new and existing viewers the-art information technology-based playout importantly – join APTN as it brings together and audiences. The Marketing Department has platform. Also, a broadcast graphics and multi- people and communities to partake in and share the prepared for the advancement of the network channel branding system was implemented. These contemporary Aboriginal experience. and has implemented a brand refresh. The visual modernizations are imperative for the network to presentation of APTN will change as the network increase its efficiencies, workflow and broadcast of Jean La Rose, Chief Executive Officer shifts