Published by APTN
Each week on APTN National News, our Truth & Politics panelists Jennifer Laewetz and Niigaan Sinclair sit down with host Dennis Ward to discuss important topics affecting Indigenous Peoples in the news.
Listen on Apple Podcasts10 min
A British Columbia reporter apparently got his hands on a leaked communication where the provincial Conservative leader is encouraging the word 'Indian' to be used to describe First Nations people. And an incident where RCMP officers tasered and punched a First Nations woman in Saskatchewan has gone viral with many questioning the use of force. Those are our topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwa Strategies, and Alessia Passafiume, an Anishinaabe Parliament Hill reporter with the Canadian Press. • • • 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/
9 min
As of July 22, the federal government says more than 3,400 people are evacuated from 16 First Nations across Canada. Ten of those First Nations are in Ontario, where are least two communities have seen widespread damage. Leadership there have been critical of the provincial response and have called for a public inquiry and the resignation of the minister of Indigenous Services. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwa Strategies, and Alessia Passafiume, an Anishinaabe Parliament Hill reporter with the Canadian Press. • • • 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/
11 min
The Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly has now come to an end after a busy couple of days. As we've been reporting, major projects, residential school denialism and the wildfire situation were among the big topics. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press and Alessia Passafiume, an Anishinaabe Parliament Hill reporter with the Canadian Press. • • • 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/
12 min
Another pipeline project was proposed this week. The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would carry half a million barrels a day from Alberta to Ontario. Some First Nations have expressed concern, while Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has yet to weigh in on the 3,300 km pipeline that would run through the province. Also on the panel this week, a look at some of the resolutions for next week's Assembly Of First Nations annual general assembly. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
12 min
We are a few hours away now from a fast-changing announcement on the next steps for a pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. The proposed pipeline was to be announced by July 1 and much remains up in the air. What is the route, is there a private sector proponent and will shovels actually hit the ground next year? For more, our Truth & Politics panel is here. Joining Host Dennis Ward is Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwa Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
13 min
This week, the federal government announced three major projects to be considered for fast tracking under the Building Canada Act – and all three have major implications for Indigenous Peoples. They include a deep-water port in Nunavut, a highway connecting Yellowknife with Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and the deep geological repository for nuclear waste in northwestern Ontario. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
14 min
A war of words is unfolding in Alberta after chiefs there unanimously passed a resolution this week calling for an investigation into Premier Danielle Smith and members of the United Conservative Party. The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs in Alberta want the RCMP and auditor general to look into actions by Smith and the UPC when it comes to violating treaties, calling a referendum and failing to take action on the violation of privacy rights of millions of people. Also on the panel this week, the reintroduction of the First Nations water legislation is being met with criticism. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
16 min
It's Pride Month, Indigenous History Month, pow wow season and Sundance time. There are also several audits underway on how Indigenous governments and organizations are spending their funding. Those are the topics on this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Tiar Wheatle to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
17 min
There has been an increased amount of violence in First Nations in recent months, and much of it is in the North. That is one of the topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Also on the panel this week, changes to a proposed anti-hate bill that would have made residential school denialism a punishable crime failed to pass in the Senate, the Assembly of First Nations' trip to Buckingham Palace to speak with King Charles and the latest on what's been unfolding in Thunder Bay. Joining host Sav Jonsa to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
11 min
Premiers from Western Canada and the territories met in Alberta earlier this week. Much was on the agenda, but one of the big headlines to come out of it was comments Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made during a press conference, calling out Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over separation and the duty to consult. That is one of the topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
12 min
There is continuing controversy over an Indigenous-led, unscripted comedy series in early production for CBC Entertainment and APTN, as the future of the show looks murky. According to a joint statement from CBC and APTN, Northland Tales was pitched at an Indigenous Screen Summit in 2024 as a satirical prank show. For clarity, APTN News had no prior knowledge nor any involvement in this production. This week, after many of the people contacted to take part in the show started speaking out, CBC paused production on Northland Tales. That is one of the topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
18 min
An Alberta judge has delivered a major blow to the separatist movement in Alberta after quashing the separatist petition, saying the provincial government breached its duty to consult with First Nations. That is one of our topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Alberta-based strategist and advisor Cara Currie Hall and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair. • • • 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/
12 min
It's been another busy news week with Red Dress Day, the naming of a new governor general and a multi-million-dollar legal victory for the Manitoba Métis Federation. Here to help break it all down for us is our Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Creeson Agecoutay to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
9 min
May 5 is the annual National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day. It comes at a time when there are questions over funding for MMIWG initiatives and advocacy organizations. That is one of our topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Also on the panel this week, after more than four decades, the Gathering of Nations has had its last dance. Plus, the minister of Indigenous Services says the clock is ticking for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
12 min
The controversy in British Columbia over the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) continues, even after Premier David Eby backed down on a previous plan to pause or suspend the legislation. Also on the panel this week, the Manitoba Metis Federation is celebrating as the Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement had its second reading in the House of Commons. But the Assembly of First Nations is already calling on the federal government to kill the bill. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
9 min
Mark Carney has secured his majority government and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations held its first assembly since being ordered to repay nearly $29 million to the federal government. Our Truth & Politics panel discusses these developments, plus the connection between the Anishinaabe Nation and the latest trip around the moon. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
7 min
There are concerns over funding meant to end the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Organizations like the Native Women's Association of Canada and the National Family and Survivors Circle say funding they receive from the federal government is about to sunset. However, some advocates say it is time to reallocate that funding elsewhere. Our Truth & Politics panel weighs in on that and controversy over cannabis on the East Coast. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
12 min
After taking a week off, our Truth & Politics panel has a lot of ground to cover, including another prime minister making light of a protestor from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Also this week, the NDP have selected Avi Lewis as the new leader of the federal party. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/
11 min
It has been touted as Canada's first Indigenous-led supervised consumption site. The Manitoba government promised a facility during its first term. Earlier this month, it said the launch was imminent. Now, Premier Wab Kinew is backing away and offering no timeline. Joining host Dennis Ward on this week's panel are Niigaan Sinclair of the Winnipeg Free Press and Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Winnipeg. • • • 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/
11 min
It was a surprise move in federal politics this week when Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossed the floor from the NDP to the governing Liberals. Idlout, the territory's sole MP, has been critical of the federal government since she was first elected to the House of Commons in 2021. As you can read over on our website, her defection could have a number of consequences, from helping push the Liberals to a majority to threatening efforts to end the second-generation cut-off. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • 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/