APTN News InFocus

It’s a humanitarian crisis. That’s the focus of a two-day ‘emergency meeting’ on child welfare in Ottawa happening Thursday and Friday.

Indigenous Services Minister Jane Philpott, children’s advocate Cindy Blackstock, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Family Advocate Cora Morgan, Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels, Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak President, Melanie Omeniho, and grandmother Chickadee Richard join host Dennis Ward live in Ottawa to put the child welfare system In Focus.

Should the MMIWG Inquiry be granted an extension? Is Lynn Beyak a racist? Is the AFN relevant?

Pam Palmater, Niigaan Sinclair and Tim Fontaine weigh in on these issues and more as we put 2017 In Focus and look ahead to 2018.

Award-winning singer-songwriter, Don Amero performs on APTN InFocus and shared his love of music and his love for the holiday season.

In this show, you’ll hear some of Don’s favorite songs and the meanings behind them. And perhaps get into the holiday spirit, just a little bit more.

It’s been over a year since the National Inquiry into MMIWG began its mandate, but it hasn’t come without much criticism and controversy.

In this episode of InFocus, we talk about some of those issues such as how many staff have left or been let go, the lack of after-care for families testifying and the anticipation to a request for an extension.

The troubles in Thunder Bay have people living on the edge. On this episode of InFocus, we put those problems into perspective as APTN reporter Willow Fiddler digs deeper into what’s happening.

APTN’s Dennis Ward also shares his experience as a reporter in Thunder Bay. Also James Favel, Executive Director at Bear Clan, spoke about how the 900-volunteer-member strong organization patrols streets.

On Friday, November 24th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be apologising to former residential school students in Newfoundland and Labrador. They were excluded from the 2008 apology.

What did it take? A class action lawsuit and a recommendation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In this episode of InFocus, we give you perspective from residential school survivors from Labrador and across the country.

In this episode we put Bill S-3 In Focus. That’s the legislation currently in front of the Senate that, if passed, will end sex discrimination in the Indian Act. Its aim is to restore full legal status to First Nations women and their children who were not eligible before.

Todd Lamirande, Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell, Chief Rick O’Bomsawin and Donna Partridge joined us to discuss the impact of Bill S-3. It’s a discussion not going away anytime soon, and it’s a discussion worthy of continuing.

November 8th is Aboriginal Veterans Day. A day to honor and remember the contributions Indigenous people made for our country in times of war and peacekeeping. Veteran Affairs Canada says more than 7000 First Nations members served in the First and Second World Wars, including the Korean War.

In this episode of InFocus, three veterans share their experience. Bill Shead, Devin Beaudry and Denis Lamirande. Join us as we honor the thousands of Indigenous veterans who defended Canada.

Tuberculosis was a highly contagious and often fatal lung disease. Before a vaccination was found, patients were put on long periods of bed rest, given a nourishing diet and hours of fresh air… But a lot more than that happened them.

In this episode we take a look at sanatoriums where Indigenous people were sent for treatment of TB. Holly Moore, Gerald McIvor and Ian Mosby give us their perspectives.

October 30th Nunavut holds their fifth general election, since the territory was created in 1999.

Kent Driscoll, Jim Bell, Lindsey Qanguk and Helen Navalik Tologanak look at the many different difficulties affecting Nunavut and what they hope the next elected government will achieve.