NFB, APTN partners in programming, training initiatives
- EFN Staff | February 24, 2018
The National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and APTN announced last week the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will merge the two organizations to implement protocols, programs, training and other initiatives aimed at strengthening relations with Indigenous Peoples and creators.
“The NFB and APTN have a long history of working together. This MOU reflects our shared desire to build on what has already been achieved, and ensures that the voices of Indigenous Peoples and creators can be heard in communities across the country,” said Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB in a media release. “In doing so, we hope to help build a lasting legacy to hand down to current and future generations.”
The MOU will have a lasting and positive impact on the Canadian production and distribution landscape and ensure these initiatives are more rapidly implemented. The agreement is the result of actions recently taken by each organization, particularly a three-year plan released by the NFB last June, entitled Redefining the NFB’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples (2017–2020), and the implementation of the recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
“APTN is proud to partner with the NFB by being part of a series of initiatives aimed at increasing the contribution and recognition of Indigenous Peoples and cultures to the Canadian film and television industry, in alignment with Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations,” said Jean La Rose, APTN Chief Executive Officer. “As the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster promoting Indigenous talent for almost two decades, we look forward to sharing our journeys, our cultures and our stories with one of the key players in the Canadian media-production landscape.”
The Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly said this partnership, which is essential to reconciliation, will help diversify Indigenous productions and make the works of these artists even more accessible to Canadians. The partnership will primarily allow the organizations to pool their expertise to develop protocols, develop production projects that make use of NFB documentary archival materials, help make the NFB’s Indigenous collections accessible through distribution, develop and implement hiring strategies for Indigenous employees; develop and share audience-data analysis and research on reaching audiences – to name a few.