APTN Infocus
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Winnipeg, Manitoba (CT)
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APTN’s exciting new current affairs program takes a look at the latest news stories and puts them into perspective. Join host Cheryl McKenzie as she puts the news viewers want to see “in focus”, providing in-depth analysis to give the ‘story behind the story’. Informational and educational, APTN InFocus provides a detailed examination of the issues affecting our communities.
HOST +
Host/ProducerCheryl
McKenzie
Since joining APTN as a reporter in 2001, Cheryl has been nominated for a Gemini Award and a Canadian Association of Broadcasters award. Cheryl was the host/producer for the launch of APTN National News: Daytime in 2005. After anchoring over 400 news broadcasts, Cheryl took over as host/producer of Contact, APTN's current affairs program, for the past two seasons.
Executive Producer Paul
Barnsley
Paul has been described by the Ryerson Review of Journalism as "one of Canada's best Aboriginal affairs investigative reporters." Prior to joining APTN, Paul served as national news editor/senior writer for Windspeaker, an Edmonton-based Aboriginal news publication distributed nationally. His stint with Windspeaker began in 1997, after nearly five years with the Six Nations weekly newspaper Tekawennake
Producer Francine
Compton
Francine brings 10 years of television broadcast experience to her new position. She started at APTN in 2000 as an associate director and was promoted to television director in 2001. Francine directed APTN National News, Contact and all of APTN’s town halls and special broadcasts for five years. Prior to returning to APTN in 2008, she spent two years working in New York City.
Senior Researcher/Writer Michael
Hutchinson
Michael is a citizen of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. His journalism career began at the Calgary Straight which led to a reporter position for aboriginaltimes, a monthly supplement to the Globe and Mail. A year after his arrival, he was appointed managing editor. After a few years as writer/editor at the Indian Claims Commission in Ottawa, Michael was Communication Coordinator for the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba prior to joining APTN
Senior Researcher/Writer Melissa
Ridgen
Melissa comes from a print journalism background that spans more than a decade and includes reporting stints at the Kenora Daily Miner and News and Calgary Sun. In 2004, she became the Brandon Sun’s youngest city editor. In 1998, Melissa won the Edward Dunlop Award for Investigative Journalism for a series of stories involving a Grassy Narrows First Nation man who died in the custody of the Kenora Police Service. She is a proud Red River Métis.
Researcher/Writer Kimlee
Wong
A member of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, Kimlee Wong (BSc, M.A. candidate) brings her keen passion for research and inquiry to the APTN Investigative News Unit. Kimlee's global experience has taken her to southeast Asia and to United Nations meetings in New York City and Copenhagen. Closer to home, she has developed curriculum for a Canada-wide environmental training program for First Nations youth, and promoted greater awareness of the connections between children’s health and the environment at the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.