APTN News InFocus

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...

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 economi...

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 multipl...

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....

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 cl...

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 pr...

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 u...

The presence of Indigenous people on film and behind the scenes has been growing throughout the years. On InFocus we look at those leaving their mark on the big screen.

From organizing rallies and walks to creating platforms for Indigenous people to speak out – young Indigenous youth are on the move and their actions are put InFocus.

InFocus takes a look back at the wildfire season, some of the causes of extreme weather events and what can be done to make a positive impact towards the climate crisis.

InFocus went on location to the second annual Indigenomics SHE conference in Winnipeg and caught up with women who are making their mark in the world of business and finance. It's an event for like-minded women to create contacts and educate others on topics that will have a positive impact in their communities.

On Sept. 30, thousands of Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians celebrated the National Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies across the country. InFocus looks back at the third annual day that remembers residential school survivors and the children who never made it back home.

InFocus puts the wraps on another season with a look at the amazing people we've met on the show over the past few months. On this episode, we're putting the 2022-23 season – InFocus. Over the course of more than two dozen shows, we've spoken with residential school survivors, MMIWG advocates, tourism operators, Idle No More journalists and people who officiate weddings.

The stress of not knowing and the fear of the worst-case scenario when a family member goes missing is a scene that plays out every day in Canada. For First Nations, Inuit and Métis families, it's more common than in other communities. According to Statistics Canada, Indigenous women are more likely than others to experience violence, go missing, or be murdered than others. On this episode of InFo...

From painters to graphic designers and even tattoo artists, we're putting Indigenous artists and their work InFocus. We have plenty of amazing artists with beautiful works for you.

There have been a number of emergencies recently in Indigenous communities across the country. Many of them have to deal with house fires – or drug overdoses. Whatever the emergency, the services needed to keep people safe are often sketchy – or non-existent. On this episode, we're focussing on emergency situations and the resources available to handle an extreme situation.

InFocus is diving into the world of Indigenous humour. We hear from Indigenous comedians who are using their platforms to bring awareness to important issues facing First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

We're examining the recurring reports and stories about the discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples within the healthcare system on this episode of InFocus. Join us as we discuss the underlying issues and the measures being taken to stop it.

From child welfare to First Nations policing – there are many class action lawsuits ongoing in Canada and many of them involving or impacting Indigenous Peoples. These lawsuits can take years, even decades before a decision or settlement is reached. On the InFocus program today, we're looking at some of the lawsuits that affect Indigenous Peoples.

As the hockey season winds down and teams play their final regular season games before the playoffs, our Hockey Night in Cree team also put another season to bed. What has broadcasting professional hockey in Cree done for culture and the language? On this edition of InFocus, we're putting reconciliation through sport in the spotlight and how hockey can help strengthen Indigenous culture.

Across Canada, there are more than 70 Indigenous languages and more than 200,000 speakers. This week on InFocus, we look at a few of those languages including one that has been extinct. It's all set up for Friday which marks National Indigenous Languages Day.

There's a lot going on around the Spring Equinox. For most of us, the clocks went ahead an hour – plus it marks the end of winter (technically) and is the road towards the summer weather. On this edition of InFocus, we're taking a look at the Spring Equinox and what it means to Indigenous Peoples including the traditions that mark the occasion.

With pandemic restrictions in the rear-view mirror and travel on the rise, InFocus is exploring the 2023 International Indigenous Tourism Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. From an archaeological dig to dog sledding, Host Darrell Stranger is speaking with tourism operators from across the country about how they started and where they're going.

Coming up on Friday, the APTN Investigates team is taking viewers inside correctional facilities and examining the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada's justice system. In this four-part series, APTN will bring viewers behind the walls of some of Canada's most notorious prisons. InFocus gets a sneak peek at Inside Corrections.

In 2018, Capt. Robyn Shlachetla and First Officer Raven Beardy took flight as a female medevac crew in Manitoba. That same year, Brigette Lacquette, 25, suited up to play for Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics. And in 2022, Col. Nicole Mann, an Indigenous female astronaut blasted off into space. All these people have something in common – they were trailblazers – the first to do what they do...