WINNIPEG – Mike Metatawabin has been elected as the new chairman of the network’s 21-seat board of directors.
Board elections for the current term were held during the APTN Annual General Meeting, December 2, 2007 in Winnipeg. Metatawabin replaces outgoing APTN chair and former Vice-chair and member-appointed NNBY director Shirley Adamson who has served on the APTN board since April 2004.
A member and former Chief of the Fort Albany First Nation in Northeastern Ontario, Metatawabin possesses a strong background in public relations, having been involved in radio and TV journalism for over 13 years. Employed with DeBeers Canada as a communications consultant, he also currently serves as the chairman of the board and president of the Wawatay Native Communications Society.
“I am extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity. It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I accept this mandate to lead APTN through its next phase of development; one that promises to be its most exciting to date,” said Metatawabin in a release, referring to the network’s March 3rd high definition channel launch and preparations related to APTN’s successful bid to broadcast the 2010 Olympic Games.
“I would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Shirley Adamson who has given so much of her time, energy and commitment to this board, tirelessly advocating for the betterment of the network and its mission to share Our Peoples’ journey, celebrate our cultures, inspire our children and honour the wisdom of our Elders,” he added.
APTN is governed by a 21-member board representing all regions of Canada and is comprised of Aboriginal Peoples. It sets policy and direction for the network and guides its mission to open a window on the reality of the lives, cultures, languages and history of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.
