Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

APTN’s National News and Current Affairs is preparing new segments of the InFocus panel as well as a special Perspectives series on an important, but often overlooked issue within Canada’s Aboriginal communities—suicide.

Suicide will be the topic of investigation with stories airing each day starting on Monday, June 11 and ending with a panel discussion on Friday, June 15. As part of its Perspectives series, APTN’s reporters will be looking at the issue on a national scale and tackling stories such as the taboo behind suicide, whether the money spent on prevention is enough, and what communities are doing to show people there is another option.

APTN’s Perspectives on suicide will kick off in British Columbia where the Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island are the latest to declare a state of emergency because of a rash of suicides. Other stories include a personal look at how suicide affected one family and an in-depth interview with Mary Simon, president of Inuit Tapiirit Kanatami. Ms. Simon will discuss her own issues with mental health and suicides in her family and community. She says it’s important for communities to start talking about it and getting the issue out in the open. APTN aims to spark an ongoing dialogue and conversation about this important issue in Aboriginal communities across Canada.

Also in the month of June, viewers can tune in for a regular new 15-minute segment of InFocus, produced and hosted by APTN’s senior correspondent Cheryl McKenzie. The InFocus panels will run on Wednesdays, with the regular season ending on June 27. From Wednesday, May 30 to Wednesday, June 27, viewers can tune in for some interesting discussions courtesy of the InFocus panel.

Cheryl McKenzie and the three-member panel will discuss the news of the week and/or breaking issues in news and politics. A variety of guests will take part on the weekly panel to provide different perspectives as well as regional and political representation.

About APTN:
September 1, 2011, marked the 12-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 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite (DTH), 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. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862, or visit the website at www.aptn.ca.