APTN News InFocus

On this edition of APTN News InFocus, Cierra Bettens looks at the growing talk of separation in Alberta and what it could mean for First Nations in the province. Red River Métis journalist Danielle Paradis is the co-producer of the podcast Separation Anxiety: The Alberta Referendum and joins the show to discuss the roots of Alberta's separatist movement and how Indigenous people are responding. APTN News online reporter Jesse Staniforth also looks back at Quebec's separatist referendums and the lessons they may hold for Indigenous peoples facing renewed calls for separation. Separation Anxiety: The Alberta Referendum – Listen to it here.

On this edition of APTN News InFocus, guest host Dennis Ward looks at residential school denialism and the ongoing spread of misinformation about residential schools and survivors. University of Manitoba professors Sean Carleton and Niigaan Sinclair join the show to discuss their new book, Truth Before Reconciliation, along with why denialism persists, questions surrounding the anomalies found at former residential school sites, the role of politicians and Parliament and what it will take to confront denialism. • • • 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/

On this edition of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens looks at Canada's ongoing opioid crisis and its disproportionate impact on First Nations. Since APTN first reported on fentanyl in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside in 2016, the opioid crisis has continued to claim lives across the country. APTN News journalist Karyn Pugliese and Raven Brascoupe join the show to discuss their new project that looks deep into the crisis. The project will include web stories and a podcast examining the opioid crisis through the experiences of people across Canada. If you're using drugs, please don't use alone. Anywhere in Canada, you can call NORS (National Overdose Response Service) at 1-888-688-6677. Someone will stay on the line while you use. If something goes wrong, they will follow a safety plan that you've agreed to in advance. Again, that's 1-888-688-6677. It's free, it's anonymous and it's confidential.

On this edition of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens looks at Canada's wildfire preparedness and the importance of the boreal forest. A recent Senate committee report found that wildfire preparedness and response responsibilities are spread across different levels of government, creating challenges with coordination. Arnold Lazare, interim CEO of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, joins the show to discuss what better wildfire organization could look like and why empowering communities is key. Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative Valérie Courtois joins the show to speak about the importance of the boreal forest and how Indigenous guardianship and traditional fire practices can help protect it in the face of wildfires and climate change. • • • 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/

It's been almost one year since The Cowichan Tribe won a landmark decision recognizing Aboriginal Title to land owned by the Crown and the City of Richmond. On today's show, we wanted to share another episode from APTN News: Answers – where Savannah Kelly and Jesse Andrushko dive in to figure out what the court decision actually means and what is at stake. Find more episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQMAaAkeXW_QkVhC71uJAYvrZlYle-U9g&si=ELv_Z6DZbIRtyFs_ • • • 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/