For a generation of viewers, Nelson Bird was a mainstay on CTV News in Saskatchewan.

Bird started his career in 1998 as a video journalist, producer and host of Indigenous Circle before becoming the assignment editor at CTV News Regina.

He is now educating the next generation of Indigenous journalists at the First Nations University of Canada.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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Nearly 33,000 people were forced from their homes in Manitoba due to wildfires in the spring and summer of 2025; the majority of them were from northern First Nations.

The risk to life, property and the land is increasing as wildfires become more frequent in the province, but that hasn't translated into better planning and coordination for evacuations, says Garrison Settee.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: North Wind Standing Woman Isabel Daniels

Isabel Daniels is from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and has been advocating for murdered and missing Indigenous Peoples for the past 14 years.

She is an MMIWG2S family member and a survivor of human trafficking and childhood sexual exploitation. Isabel also helped create Velma's House in Winnipeg, the only designated 24/7 safe space for vulnerable and exploited women.

With a background in social work and trauma therapy, she now advocates for murdered and missing Indigenous men and boys.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Ross 'Memphis' Pambrun

One of the hardest things about growing up as a self-described "army brat" is having to start over with new friends in a new community says Ross 'Memphis' Pambrun.

Pambrun is quick to tell people "he's living his best life" and when people ask him how they too can live their best life, he tells them that's for you to discover.

The Métis business leader is a musician, decorated fire captain, podcaster, sought-after speaker and one of the hosts of the television series Red River Gold, which airs on APTN.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Alanis Obomsawin

Meeting Alanis Obomsawin in the theatre that bears her name at the National Film Board's head office felt both natural and fitting, especially since she still makes a point of coming into the office a few days a week.

Over the years, she has credited work for keeping her young. However, sitting down here with APTN News, Obomsawin added that children are what keeps her going.

Before being a documentary filmmaker, Obomsawin sang. This brought her into classrooms around the country. She always requested that teachers send her drawings that the children may have done after her visits and they have obliged.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Sherry McKay

Sherry McKay calls herself a "baby comedian." That's because she's only taken up space in the standup comedy industry for the past three years, although she's been telling jokes much of her own life.

She shares her comedy journey on this episode of Face to Face.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Cody Groat

As a professor in history and Indigenous studies, Cody Groat always has his eyes on political affairs, and at the moment, there is no shortage of consequential issues affecting Indigenous Peoples.

The 10th anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report is one of those top of mind issues for Groat, who is Mohawk and a member of Six Nations of the Grand River.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Joel Pedersen

Our guest this week is Chief Warrant Officer Joel Pedersen of 38 Canadian Brigade Group in the Canadian Army's Third Division.

In October 2024, he became the first First Nations person to serve as brigade sergeant major.

The Fond du Lac band member joined the Canadian Army Reserve at 17 and later mentored Indigenous youth through the Bold Eagle program.

He also spent time as a police officer with the Saskatoon Police Service during a period of high racial tension, joining not long after the starlight tours stories came to light.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Aysanabee

Oji-Cree multi-instrumentalist, Aysanabee has been on a run like very few others in the Canadian music industry.

He burst onto the scene in 2022 with his debut album Watin, named after his grandfather, a residential school survivor.

The album, based in part on conversations between the two during the pandemic, was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize in 2023.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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On this episode of Face to Face: Niigaan Sinclair

Educator, author and columnist Niigaan Sinclair brings sharp insight and clear perspective to every conversation – whether it's in the classroom or on the page.

A professor in the department of Indigenous studies at the University of Manitoba, Niigaan was named columnist of the year at the 2018 National Newspaper Awards for his work with the Winnipeg Free Press. His national bestseller Winipek: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre won the 2024 Governor General's Award for non-fiction.

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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/