WINNIPEG — Indigenous broadcaster APTN today announced it will broadcast a special winter edition of APTN Indigenous Day Live (IDL), in a belated celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day which is held on June 21 each year.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, APTN’s planned series of events in June were postponed, and now APTN will broadcast the first-ever APTN Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice programming from December 21 to 25 in five one-hour shows.
To create the IDL Winter Solstice celebrations, APTN recorded some of Canada’s best talent in the fall of 2020. Hosted by Earl Wood and Janelle Wookey, the televised broadcasts will feature performances by Alanis Morissette, Alan Doyle, Serena Ryder, Bebe Buckskin, Carolina East, Don Amero, Jeremy Dutcher, Matiu, PIQSIQ and many others. The musical performances will be amplified by the inclusion of works from Indigenous visual artists, which will be displayed across the backdrop on-stage.
“Indigenous-led initiatives and cultural representation uplift our traditions and build a stronger sense of identity,” says Monika Ille, APTN’s CEO, in a press release. “Traditional healing and the arts are often interconnected and, in this case, music is medicine. We are excited to provide and share an accessible winter solstice with a celebration that properly acknowledges the spirit of reconciliation with all of Canada.”
APTN’s acknowledged the generous financial support from the Canadian government which has enabled APTN Indigenous Day Live to expand its reach every year.
“There is no better way to learn more about Indigenous languages, cultures and traditions then to immerse ourselves in the sounds and colours of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities,” said Steven Guilbeault, minister of Canadian Heritage, in the press release.
For the regional broadcast schedule for APTN IDL Winter Solstice, please visit aptn.ca/schedule. The broadcasts will be available for streaming on APTN lumi 24 hours after airing.
More information can be found at indigenousdaylive.ca.
