March 1, 2010 - APTN National News will premiere Perspectives on the Environment, a week dedicated to environmental issues affecting communities across Canada. The stories, which will be featured during APTN National News March 8 to March 11 at 6:00 pm ET on APTN East/MT on APTN West/CT on APTN North/ET on APTN HD, and will culminate in an hour-long special season finale edition of APTN InFocus March 12, will focus on the major issues in every region of Canada: North, South/Central, East and West.
“APTN National News is devoted to bringing viewers the stories affecting our communities,” said Sky Bridges, Director of Marketing. “People are exposed to media coverage on environmental issues daily; Perspectives on the Environment will make specific issues and realities known and truly reveal how these problems are affecting the well-being, spirit, and future of not only Aboriginal Peoples but all Peoples.”
APTN Environmental Week Outline:
North – Peel Watershed – airdate Monday March 8th:
Yukon’s Peel Watershed is rich in minerals and other resources, but many of the people who use the Peel Watershed say it’s worth protecting from development. APTN’s Dez Loreen will look at the resources that make the land so valuable, the traditions that make the region so rich, and the debate over how best to deal with it all.
East – Boat Harbour, Nova Scotia – airdate March 9th:
The Pictou Landing First Nation has been fighting for more than 40 years to get the Nova Scotia government and industry to clean up the harbour. The waters, which at one time featured pristine beaches, are now making people sick. Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter’s new NDP government says it’s committed to solving the Boat Harbour problem. APTN’s James Hopkin talks to the people in the Mi’kmaq community and to the 10th provincial minister to deal with the file.
South/Central – Mercury Pollution airdate March 10th:
The people of the Grassy Narrows First Nation in Ontario are battling the severe health effects of mercury exposure. The emissions that polluted the watershed where they live began decades ago and the federal government says the problem has been fixed, but young people in the community are still showing the horrific symptoms of mercury poisoning. APTN's Melissa Ridgen visited the community to find answers.
West – Deep Water Port for Super Tankers airdate March 11th:
Plans are in development for a pipeline to carry oil from the Alberta tar sands to Kitimat, British Columbia, where a deep water port will provide transport to supertankers which will carry oil to US and Pacific Rim markets. The ships will navigate near Hartley Bay First Nation, one of the country’s most environmentally conscious communities. With the nearby waters being well-known for their danger, the people of Hartley Bay fear a massively destructive oil spill. APTN's Noemi LoPinto travels to the community to find out what happens next.
APTN InFocus One-Hour Season Finale airdate March 12th:
On Friday, March 12th APTN National News will be pre-empted for a special one-hour edition (and season finale) of APTN InFocus. This special edition will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the four Perspectives on the Environment stories that aired during the week on APTN National News.
They will also examine the poor water quality in many Indigenous communities, 119 of which are under a Drinking Water Advisory.
The panel of experts will include:
Dr. John O’Connor, the physician who blew the whistle on unusually high incidence of cancer clusters near the Alberta oil patch (Fort McMurray).
Merrell-Ann S. Phare, Executive Director and Legal Counsel, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources.
Ramsay Hart, Canada Program Coordinator, Mining Watch Canada, to deal with environmental aspects of mining
Dr. Shirley Thompson, University of Manitoba, Assistant Professor, Natural Resources Institute, will talk about the actual biological effects of industrial pollution on the human body.
APTN National News is part of an exciting programming schedule that promotes and celebrates Canadian content across all genres. Providing news that not only informs, but inspires, APTN National News brings viewers a more in-depth look at the issues facing Aboriginal communities in Canada and around the world.
About APTN:
September 1, 2009 marked the 10-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 APTNHD 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.
