APTN News InFocus

This week on APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens takes a closer look at where Indigenous issues stand as federal parties ramp up their campaigns.

The five main political parties have been working the campaign trail since March 23. Threats from the United States and other foreign powers are, so far, dominating the campaign.

But what have candidates been saying about Indigenous issues—from housing to water to free, prior and informed consent?

APTN National News host Dennis Ward and Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies and panelist on APTN's Truth & Politics podcast unpack what's being said—and what's being left out.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

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This week on APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens takes a closer look at policing in Canada and its impact on Indigenous Peoples.

In the final months of 2024, 15 Indigenous people died after interactions with police—some were shot, others beaten to death or run over by cruisers. Their deaths have reignited calls for a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing, the focus of Inside Policing, a three-part series from APTN Investigates. Reporters Tamara Pimentel, Rob Smith and Tom Fennario join us to discuss their findings.

Police interactions with journalists are also under scrutiny. Reporters have been arrested for covering protests and police actions, including APTN reporter Savanna Craig, who was taken into custody while covering a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Montreal. She shares her experience and what it says about press freedom in Canada.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

This week on APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens examines the years-long fight to search the Prairie Green landfill and the delays that kept families waiting.

In December 2022, Cambria Harris stood on Parliament Hill, pleading for a search of the landfill where her mother, Morgan Harris, and others were believed to be. Despite her calls for action, it took two more years for the search to begin.

APTN News senior online journalist Kathleen Martens joins us to break down the timeline and the latest developments.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

This week on APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens examines the mercury crisis in Grassy Narrows and the community's ongoing fight for justice and healing.

In the 1960s and '70s, the Dryden paper mill dumped nearly nine tonnes of mercury into the English-Wabigoon River system, devastating the downstream community of Grassy Narrows. Today, an estimated 90 per cent of the community has symptoms of mercury poisoning.

On March 5, officials gathered for the ground breaking of a long-awaited health centre dedicated to mercury poisoning care—five years after the deal to build it was signed.

APTN Investigates reporter Brittany Guyot joins us to discuss her documentary Something in the Water, the ongoing impact of mercury poisoning, and the community's fight for accountability.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

This week on APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens examines the impact of the looming trade war between Canada and the U.S. and what it means for Indigenous businesses.

As U.S. President Donald Trump plans to move ahead with 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports, companies across the country are scrambling to adapt. But for Indigenous businesses, many of which already face barriers, the economic uncertainty is especially challenging.

Shane Prevost, vice president of Bison Modular, is looking to a centuries-old agreement for solutions. The Jay Treaty, signed in 1794, grants Indigenous Peoples the right to trade and travel freely across the Canada-U.S. border. Could this be a game-changer for Indigenous businesses caught in the crossfire of a trade war?

Join us as we put Indigenous trade InFocus.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

In this episode, we're putting Jordan's Principle InFocus.

For nearly 20 years the federal government has been running a program called Jordan's Principle.

The program is supposed to provide First Nations children living on reserve with the same services children living off-reserve could receive.

It's named after Jordan River Anderson – a boy from Norway House Cree Nation who was born with multiple health issues in a Winnipeg hospital.

Throughout his short life, Canada and the province of Manitoba argued over who would pay for his at-home care.

In the end, Jordan never made it home.

Twenty years after his death, the program is in shambles—and it seems no one knows what is and isn't covered.

APTN's Parliament Hill reporter Karyn Pugliese joins host Cierra Bettens to unravel what is going on.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

In this episode, host Cierra Bettens explores the efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages across Turtle Island.

February is I Love to Read month, and APTN reporter Tiar Wheatle is leading Mother Tongue Teachings—a new series featuring language speakers sharing a phrase of the day. Tiar joins us to discuss the series, her language journey, and the role of journalists in language revitalization.

We also hear from Adam Garnet-Jones, APTN's director of TV content, who takes us behind the scenes of the new APTN Languages channel, which airs programming in over 18 Indigenous languages.

Listen in as we put Indigenous language revitalization InFocus.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

In this episode, we put the Liberal leadership race InFocus. Five candidates are competing to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, each making promises and presenting their vision for Canada. Several challenges lie ahead, including housing, immigration, foreign relations—and dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, little has been said about issues impacting Indigenous Peoples.

From clean water to treaty rights, where does reconciliation fit in the candidates' platforms?

APTN's Parliament Hill reporter Karyn Pugliese joins host Cierra Bettens to break it down.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

In this episode, we put drug trafficking InFocus. From coast to coast, First Nations are grappling with the impacts of drug trafficking. Outside dealers are preying on vulnerable community members—but many nations are mobilizing to push back.

Award winning APTN Investigates journalist Kenneth Jackson joins us to discuss his report, The Great Change, which shines a light on big-city drug dealers profiting off trauma. He shares how First Nations in Ontario are taking action—and why true change begins with Canada respecting Indigenous law.

We also look at a new initiative in northern Manitoba. In June 2023, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) launched a two-year pilot project with the RCMP and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, empowering the RCMP to enforce and prosecute bylaws in MKO communities. Chief Michael Yellowback's community, Manto Sipi Cree Nation, was the first to implement the protocol.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

In this episode, we put the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge InFocus. Gwich'in leaders like Chief Pauline Frost explain why this sacred land is vital to their people. But corporate interests, backed by politicians, have eyed it for oil and gas drilling. Despite challenges, President Trump's declaration of a "national energy emergency" keeps his push for drilling alive.

Reporter Sara Connors joins us to discuss what Trump's second presidency could mean for the future of the refuge and how Indigenous communities are responding.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/