Explore every episode of the podcast APTN News InFocus

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 us to discuss what Trump’s second presidency could mean for the future of the refuge and how Indigenous communities are responding.

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APTN National News, our stories told our way.

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We’re relaunching InFocus! Join APTN News reporter Cierra Bettens each episode as she unpacks key stories impacting Indigenous Peoples through expert interviews and fresh perspectives.

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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 as Indigenous people.

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.

With the Sisters in Spirit marches taking place recently, missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit persons are top of mind once again.

On this InFocus, Cambria Harris talks about the killing of her mother, Morgan Harris, and the ongoing presence at a Winnipeg landfill where it’s believed there are the remains of two Winnipeg women.

On the Valentine’s Day plus one show, InFocus has a look at the stories you sent us about falling in love.

On this episode of InFocus, we're speaking about the recent announcements of searches for unmarked graves at a number of former residential school sites across the country for remains of the children who never made it home.

InFocus is taking an in-depth look into the wrongful conviction case of Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance and how advocates are getting involved.

We’re putting Indigenous Peoples on-screen InFocus.

From actors and producers to a stunt school in B.C., we'll have something for everything as we look at Indigenous people's impact in the industry.

On this episode of InFocus, we look at the longstanding issue of the unhoused population in Canada and what can be done to change things for the better.

From coast to coast to coast, Indigenous youth are doing amazing things and breaking barriers every day.

On this episode of InFocus, we’re looking at – and talking to – Indigenous youth who are making a difference in their community and breaking barriers for the next generation.

‘Tis the season to be jolly and show off your arts and crafts projects.

Indigenous artists are turning out some stunning and intricate pieces across the country.

While some make a living off their handiwork, others do it for fun and relaxation.

With the emphasis on gift-giving this week, Host Darrell Stranger puts art and craft projects InFocus.

Some shows on InFocus are more difficult to deliver than others – this episode falls into that category.

The stories we’ve heard from families across Canada have come to a head these past few weeks in Winnipeg.

That’s where police recently informed the public that homicide detectives had caught an alleged serial killer; four Indigenous women – Morgan Harris, Rebecca Contois, Marcedes Myran and a fourth APTN is calling Buffalo Woman (Mashkode Bizhiki’ikw) – are believed to be his victims; the remains of two are likely in a private landfill outside the city, and lastly, and most disturbing to many, police say they won’t search for them.

Indigenous personalities are everywhere on social media – especially TikTok.

With so many great creators across various social media platforms, InFocus speaks to a few of them about their journey in the online world.

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.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald wasn’t in power long before some of the regional chiefs on the executive tried to oust her.

Do female Indigenous leaders face obstacles that their male counterparts don’t?

InFocus looks into the increasing number of Indigenous women in leadership roles and some of the hardships they face.

InFocus is back in the studio to continue the discussion on land-based education after our adventure at Camp Morning Star last week.

On this episode we're looking at land, all it has to offer and its importance to us as Indigenous Peoples.

InFocus host Darrell Stranger trades in his suit and tie for a heavy coat, boots and his trapper hat to set off into the wild.

His destination is Camp Morningstar in Hollow Water First Nation located 200 km north of the APTN studio along the eastern shores of Lake Winnipeg.

The camp was set up to help students understand resource extraction and conservation after a company proposed a mine near their territory.

On this episode, we’re learning about what land-based education means.

You can find a podcast on just about anything these days. Out in the podcast world, you’ll find a number of shows from First Nation, Inuit and Métis hosts including the Dene Yati podcast Driving While Indigenous.

This edition of InFocus is looking at how Indigenous Peoples are telling their stories through podcasts.

Pope Francis came, prayed, apologized and left. That was in July.

Debate during and ever since his visit has swirled in communities and on social media.

Was his apology sincere?

Did the Pope’s visit and words move – anger – or soothe you since that time?

That’s the question we’re asking survivors of residential schools in the latest edition of InFocus.

From refusing to pledge allegiance to the Crown to being the first Indigenous woman on a city council in the north, we have folks from all levels of government with plenty of unique stories to share.

We’re putting Indigenous politics InFocus.

It’s been more than a month since Myles Sanderson took the lives of 11 people on James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan.

Since then, the community has talked about healing – and what to do next.

While leaders have commended the RCMP for its investigation of the murders, questions have also been raised about whether things would have been different if James Smith had its own police force.

What comes next for James Smith Cree Nation, and other nations across the country are examined on InFocus.

For the last number of years, salmon numbers in British Columbia and Yukon have been on the decline.

That means some First Nations communities haven’t been able to harvest salmon for sustenance or ceremony as they normally would.

This is having an impact on their culture and way of life.

InFocus speaks with experts in the field and takes a look at why these numbers are on the way down and what is being done to bring them back up.

A brand-new season of APTN’s Moosemeat & Marmalade is underway.

The smash hit is in its sixth season and still has bush cook Art Napoleon and classically training British chef Dan Hayes to explore western Canada.

Usually, the duo are travelling the world exploring Indigenous cuisine – but former host Melissa Ridgen was able to catch up with one of the hosts to talk about what’s in store for this season.

This kicks off the new season of InFocus with our new host, Darrell Stranger.

From designers who headed to Paris for Fashion Week to the online pizza craze - on the season finale of InFocus we’re sharing some updates with you on a few incredible stories we brought you over the past year.

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.

When we look back on the past eight months of the InFocus season, it’s incredible how many issues you shared with us and tackled on the show.

We’re travelling through the time machine to look at some of the stories that made headlines.

As ridiculous as it sounds, this week's episode of InFocus has people who are extinct on the show to talk about what it’s like to be, well, extinct.

Join host Melissa Ridgen and guest host Savannah Kelly for a look at incredible content makers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

InFocus is continuing its discussion on gender-based violence. In our own communities, women have long whispered about men to steer clear of because they’re predators or pests.

The #MeToo movement turned those whispers into yells.

Within families, communities or organizations, women aren’t always safe from sexual harassment. On this episode of InFocus, we’re taking a look at gender violence and what’s being done to fix it. Join the conversation on #MeToo.

On this episode of InFocus we’re talking to people with an array of perspectives on that apology - how it helps some heal while others say it wasn't enough.

More than ever, conversations are happening about how some names of places and institutions honour people who shouldn’t be.

InFocus puts names in the spotlight as colonial names are slowly being replaced by ones more meaningful to Indigenous Peoples.

We’re putting sports InFocus. From snowboarding to archery – guest host Darrell Stranger has you covered on this episode.

Darrell is sitting down with Olympic snowboarder Liam Gill, archer Waasayah Munro-Soldier, along with two Indigenous sports organizations.

Later in the show, he’ll speak with Hockey Night in Canada in Cree on APTN host Earl Wood.

With everyone’s eyes on Ukraine, we are reminded of some shared connections.

On this episode of InFocus we’re looking at kookum scarves and a partnership between Ukrainian and powwow dancers. Later in the show, we’ll explore Indigenous women in street gangs.

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.

At nine years old she was pulled into the system and has since had her four children taken away - she fears they’ll come for her fifth.

We've got beaders who are going to Paris Fashion Week where their creations will hit the runways and we’re sitting down with an Anishinaabekwe interior designer from Winnipeg.

Today we’re getting tips from people who do it incredibly.

The pandemic hit hard and tourism operators took a severe blow but there's new momentum as we look ahead with some optimism.

As many provinces are starting to re-open, we’re putting Indigenous tourism InFocus.