Face To Face
194 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingFace To Face is an interview show that focuses on Indigenous issues. Host Dennis Ward features guests who make headlines, and those affected by problems facing Indigenous urban and rural communities.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ontario MPP ‘ashamed to be part of Canada’ over treatment of Indigenous Peoples
March 23, 2021 21:30 - 22 minutes - 42.2 MBOur guest on this episode of Face to Face is Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa. Sol is a Kingfisher Lake band member and a resident of Sioux Lookout. He is the opposition critic for Indigenous relations and reconciliation, and acted as a health advisor for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
Pandemic has magnified inequalities says community leader
March 16, 2021 21:30 - 22 minutes - 42 MBOur guest on this episode of Face to Face is Diane Redsky, Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Diane has worked to address the many of the issues facing Winnipeg’s Indigenous community in areas of health, justice, education and social services. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous children's and women's issues.
Romeo Saganash says Justin Trudeau still doesn’t care about Indigenous Peoples
March 09, 2021 22:30 - 23 minutes - 42.5 MBOur guest on this episode of Face to Face is Cree lawyer and former member of parliament and residential school survivor, Romeo Saganash. Romeo was first elected as an NDP MP for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou in 2011. He decided to step away from federal politics in 2019.
Internationally renowned leader George Manuel’s legacy should be taught in school says family
March 02, 2021 22:30 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBOur guest on this episode of Face to Face is filmmaker and educator Doreen Manuel. Doreen is the director of the Bosa Centre for Film and Animation at Capilano University in North Vancouver. She recently co-authored an update to her father's biography - "Brotherhood To Nationhood: George Manuel And The Making Of The Modern Indian Movement"
Mi’kmaq hip hop artist Blake Francis wants his verses to have purpose
February 23, 2021 22:30 - 18 minutes - 34.9 MBOur guest on this episode of Face to Face is Blake Francis - A Mi'kmaq hip-hop artist from Esgenoopetitj First Nation in New Brunswick and former member of the award winning rap group, City Natives. When Francis first started rapping, it was all about having fun but now Francis feels he can use his voice to make a statement about the injustices Indigenous people face.
Cree Anishinaabe physician talks medicine, and a need to trust the COVID-19 vaccine
February 16, 2021 22:30 - 22 minutes - 41.7 MBAt the age of four, Marcia Anderson says she knew that one day, she wanted to become a doctor. Twenty years later, Anderson was the youngest Indigenous graduate from the Faculty of Medicine in Manitoba and the youngest president of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada. On this episode of Face to Face Anderson talks about medicine and a need to trust the COVID-19 vaccine.
Sarain Fox documenting and preserving her auntie’s stories before they’re lost
February 09, 2021 22:30 - 23 minutes - 42.7 MBOur guest this week is artist, activist and ambassador, Sarain Fox. Sarain is Anishinaabe from Batchewana First Nation, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is no stranger to viewers of APTN, Sarain recently released her directorial debut Inendi.
Siege on the Capitol, Keystone XL and the impact of COVID-19 on Tribes
February 02, 2021 22:30 - 23 minutes - 42.6 MBOur guest this week is Aliyah Chavez - a multimedia reporter with Indian Country Today based in Phoenix, Arizona. Indian Country Today is a digital news platform covering Indigenous news across the United States. Aliyah is a member of Kewa Pueblo, one of the 21 Indigenous nations in New Mexico. She is a journalism and communications graduate from Stanford University.
New record label aims to bring Indigenous music to the masses
January 26, 2021 22:30 - 22 minutes - 41.7 MBLaunching a brand new venture in the middle of global pandemic may not seem like the best idea but it’s working out pretty well for Red Music Rising. Director and artist manager Matt Maw says the pandemic allowed him to focus on building the company and the brand. On this episode of Maw explains why there is a need for an Indigenous-only music company and how Red Music Rising is filling the gap.
Ontario chief RoseAnne Archibald hopes a woman is the next AFN national chief
January 19, 2021 22:30 - 23 minutes - 42.7 MBOur guest this week is Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald. Archibald became the first woman elected to the position in 2018. She has been politically involved for 30 years when she became the first woman and the youngest chief elected in her community of Taykwa Tagamou First Nation in 1990. She is one of three female regional chiefs for the Assembly of First Nations.
More resources needed for Indigenous filmmakers says director
January 12, 2021 22:30 - 22 minutes - 41.9 MBAward winning documentary filmmaker Loretta Todd recently released her first feature film. Monkey Beach, based on Eden Robinson's book of the same name was released in theatres last fall and is now streaming. Todd, who is also a producer of children's programming, is our guest on this episode of Face to Face.
TikTok gives Cree jingle dress dancer a new outlook on life
January 05, 2021 22:30 - 16 minutes - 30.1 MBOur guest this week is Swampy Cree jingle dress dancer and TikTok Star Michelle Chubb. The 23-year-old Winnipegger has more than 300-thousand followers on the social media app. Her videos have garnered more than 10 million likes.
Racist stereotypes exist in other B.C. public services says lawyer
December 15, 2020 22:30 - 24 minutes - 45.8 MBOn this episode of Face to Face, Dennis Ward sits down with Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. Mary Ellen is a lawyer, judge and a long time advocate for children and youth. She was B.C. representative for children and youth for a decade. In June 2020, Mary Ellen was appointed to head up an investigation into racism in the B.C. health care system.
Fighting back against a system built on taking kids in Constance Lake
December 08, 2020 22:30 - 23 minutes - 42.7 MBRobyn Bunting has worked in the child welfare system for the past 20 years in communities across Ontario. She is former band councillor and the lead representative on child welfare for her home community of Constance Lake First Nation in northern Ontario. Robyn knows first hand the impacts the system can have on children - having spent time in foster care and group homes as a young girl. Her story on this episode of Face to Face.
Colonial child protection system being imposed on Indigenous families says Irwin Elman
December 01, 2020 22:30 - 37 seconds - 1.36 MBOntario's first and only advocate for children and youth is our guest on this episode of Face to Face. The Doug Ford government closed down the office in the spring of 2019. Irwin Elman says government talk about changing the child welfare system amounts to nothing more than nice words.
‘Spirits of our ancestor’: Shoal Lake 40 is rectifying a century of hardships
November 24, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBOur guest this week has many different titles - researcher, activist, filmmaker and band councillor are among them. Angelina McLeod grew up in her home community of Shoal Lake 40. Recently, she completed a documentary series on her community, which was turned into a man made island in order to provide the City of Winnipeg with clean drinking water, called Freedom Road for the National Film Board.
‘We are hip hop’ says award winning Indigenous producer, engineer
November 17, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 41.6 MBOur guest this week is Grammy and Juno Award winning producer and engineer David Strickland. David who has family roots running generations deep back to the East Coast along Mi’kmaq, Cree and even Beothuk line. David has worked with Drake, Redman, Method many and many more notable hip hop legends. His latest album - Spirit of Hip Hop was released in 2020 with guest appearances from Indigenous rappers from across North America.
Physician Barry Lavallee on standing up to the ‘smiling faces’ of systemic racism
November 10, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 42.1 MBRacism does not always show itself in nefarious ways. Having a degree, diploma or letters in front of your name certainly does not mean you cannot be racist. According to Dr. Barry Lavallee, “Racism comes in nice white smiling faces.” On this episode of Face to Face, Physician Barry Lavallee discusses standing up to the ‘smiling faces’ of systemic racism.
Mi’kmaw chief wants RCMP Commissioner gone, treaties honoured
November 03, 2020 22:30 - 24 minutes - 44.2 MBBuildings and vehicles burned to the ground, fists thrown, flares fired, and property stolen. Just some of the acts of violence captured on camera as the Sipekne’katik First Nation launched its modest livelihood fishery on Sept. 17. Chief Mike Sack was not expecting any of it. On the latest episode of Face to Face Host Dennis Ward sits down with Chief Mike Sack to discuss the ongoing situation in Nova Scotia.
Actor-producer Jennifer Podemski pushing for ‘narrative sovereignty’
October 27, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 42 MBOur guest this week is a familiar face on APTN both on screen and behind the camera. Jennifer Podemski has also recently launched the shine network - to help Indigenous women in the film and television industry.
Indian Country Today editor says there is a new sense of urgency and division hanging over U.S. election
October 20, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBEvery U.S. election is billed as the most important election of our time, but the 2020 election has a new sense of urgency and division says the editor of Indian Country Today (ICT). “The urgency is that so many decisions are being made so quickly,” says Mark Trahant. “But, the partisan divide is about as bitter and rancour as any time since the U-S civil war. On this episode of Face to Face, Mark Trahant explains what’s at stake for Native Americans in this upcoming election.
Cree filmmaker says she wishes she never had to make nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand
October 13, 2020 21:30 - 37 minutes - 68.6 MBCree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard wishes she never had to make the documentary nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand, which follows the family of Colten Boushie, the young man who died from a gunshot to the back of his head in August 2016 after entering the farm property of Gerald Stanley in Saskatchewan. On this episode of Face to Face, Hubbard explains the changes she has seen in the film sector.
A reckoning happening in Canadian institutions says Anishinaabe broadcaster Jesse Wente
October 06, 2020 21:30 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MBAnishinaabe broadcaster and writer Jesse Wente is one of the most recognizable Indigenous voices on the Canadian media landscape. For more than two decades, he has been a columnist and producer that is not afraid of criticizing the media, including those that write his cheques. Wente believes there has been great strides in the Canadian media for Indigenous peoples, but behind the scenes it’s a different story, he told Host Dennis Ward on Face to Face.
Anishinaabe writer Waubgeshig Rice hopes popular novel will be adapted for the screen
May 26, 2020 18:00 - 23 minutes - 42.4 MBSome have called Moon of the Crusted Snow the perfect book for the times we’re in. The novel was released in 2018 to critical praise but it has seen a resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, writer and journalist, Waubgeshig Rice has been asked to pen a sequel to the post-apocalyptic story about a small, northern Anishinaabe community that goes dark as winter looms.
Cree doctor hopes for positive changes post-pandemic
May 19, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 42.8 MBLike many people, Dr. James Makokis never imagined the COVID-19 pandemic would be as bad as it has become on Turtle Island. Makokis, who has wanted to be a doctor since he was four years old has had to overcome adversity in order to get to where he is today. Last year Makokis and his partner Anthony Johnson competed and won the Amazing Race Canada. The couple knew it was going to be an opportunity to bring awareness to issues that Indigenous people face. That and more on this episode o...
Mi’gmaw director says film industry making slow, reluctant steps towards supporting Indigenous filmmakers
May 12, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 41.8 MBCelebrated Mi’gmaw filmmaker, Jeff Barnaby believes the Canadian film industry is making “slow but albeit reluctant” steps towards supporting Indigenous filmmakers. His latest film, Blood Quantum was referred to as an “important step for Native filmmaking” in one glowing review. Barnaby says it took 13 years from coming up with the idea and finding the funding to getting Blood Quantum made and out to the masses.
Families in crisis before COVID-19 will be ‘worse off’ coming out pandemic says advocate
May 05, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 41.7 MBThe head of a anti-poverty advocacy group in Manitoba says it’s worried about families and the austerity measures governments are likely to put in place, post-pandemic. Kate Kehler is executive director of the Winnipeg Social Planning Council (WSPC). The WPSC is among a group of organizations pushing for the continuation of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, also known as CERB, post-pandemic. That and more on this episode of Face to Face.
Social media project leads to book deal for Cree artist
April 28, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 49.2 MBIt all started as a social media project. Little did Paul Seesequasis know it would eventually lead to a book deal and a visual exhibition. Seesequasis started going through photos in archives, libraries and museums, collecting photos from the 1920s through the ’70s. Historical photos of everyday life in First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. Shortly after sharing them on Twitter and Facebook, people started commenting and recognizing family members and friends.
Manitoba must get ‘creative’ to keep parents, kids in care connected during pandemic
April 21, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 51.3 MBManitoba’s child advocate says the province must get creative when it comes to keeping families and children in care of the state in touch during the COVID-19 pandemic where social distancing has become the rule. Changes to visitation rights during the pandemic is a huge shift for kids and families, Daphne Penrose, Manitoba’s Advocate for Children and Youth told Host Dennis Ward on Face to Face.
‘It was a monumental moment’: APTN News playing a vital role for 20 years
April 14, 2020 21:30 - 21 minutes - 48.2 MBAPTN News is marking its 20th anniversary this week. On April 16, 2000, what was then known as InVision News, hit the airwaves. Bruce Spence has been with APTN National News, since day one. Spence is a senior producer and line up editor at APTN National News and has seen it all.
Forced sterilization a symptom of ‘colonial hangover’ says lawyer
April 07, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 51 MBMore than 100 Indigenous women in Canada have come forward with stories of forced or coerced sterilization and lawyer Alisa Lombard says it’s nothing new in Canada, nor is it illegal. Lombard is a partner with Saskatchewan based, Semanganis Worme Lombard and is heading up a proposed class action lawsuit representing Indigenous women who have been forced or coerced into sterilization.
Indigenous lawyer Don Worme says upbringing led him to life of fighting against injustice
March 31, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 51.1 MBDon Worme has taken on cases for families who have had a loved one shot and killed by police and who have died while incarcerated. Often, the long-time defence lawyer represents families of those who are at odds with the justice system. Worme said we need people to stand up and speak out against that injustice and that is something that his grandfather instilled in him.
‘Nobody cares about us up there’: Attawapiskat singer songwriter Adrian Sutherland says
March 24, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 51.2 MBTraditionally, Adrian Sutherland made an effort to not be so politically charged in his approach to writing music. That changed when he released his debut solo single, Politician Man. The song was born out of long standing issues in Sutherland’s home community of Attawapiskat and the frustrations of trying to raise a family on the First Nation in northern Ontario.
Interest sparked in Indigenous languages ‘like a hot July fire on the prairies’ says Cree host
March 17, 2020 21:30 - 22 minutes - 50.6 MBHis face, voice and clothing have all become synonymous with Rogers Hometown Hockey in Cree on APTN. It’s not Earl Wood’s first rodeo – he’s been an MC at pow wows and for various sporting events for decades. The historic first game in March 2019 was, however, the first time Wood had been on television and all that comes with it.
Lands under attack ‘for profit and for colonialism’ says artist and activist
March 10, 2020 21:30 - 23 minutes - 51.5 MBVictoria Redsun says it is difficult to be a young, Indigenous person in an urban environment right now. The 20 year old Denesuline poet, performer, filmmaker and activist is based in Winnipeg. She says you only have to walk down the streets of Winnipeg to see the ongoing effects of colonialism. But Redsun says she felt safe and accepted during her time at the Unist’ot’en healing centre in British Columbia.
Energy sector advocate wonders ‘who’s pulling the strings’ in opposing oil and gas projects in Canada
March 03, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.2 MBStephen Buffalo feels there is a lot of misrepresentation around the resource sector and Indigenous people’s opposition to it. Buffalo is the CEO and president of the Indian Resource Council, representing roughly 130 First Nation communities that are producing or have the potential to produce oil and gas. During this episode of Face to Face, Buffalo discusses opportunities and challenges in the energy sector, recent and ongoing protests and blockades and the Wet’suwet’en conflict.
Metis leader warns that Ontario is the gateway to ‘eastern invasion’
February 25, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.4 MBThe future of role of the Metis Nation of Ontario within the Metis National Council is a “pivotal debate” says a spokesperson with the national organization. David Chartrand, speaking in the second part of a Face to Face interview with Host Dennis Ward that is set to run Tuesday night, is also the long time president of the Manitoba Metis Federation says Ontario is the “gateway to the eastern invasion.”
Trans Mountain pipeline ‘important for this country’ says Metis leader
February 18, 2020 22:30 - 23 minutes - 51 MBThe Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is a great opportunity, economically for Metis people says David Chartrand. The long-time President of the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) is also currently the national spokesperson of the Metis National Council (MNC). Chartrand recently applauded the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal to uphold the approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. According to Chartrand, Trans Mountain is a nation-building project.
‘I was born into opposition’: Eriel Deranger talks about her roots of pushing back
February 11, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.3 MBEriel Tchekwie Deranger jokes about coming up with chants and making protest signs being her arts and crafts while growing up. Just prior to her birth, Deranger’s family was forcibly removed from their trap line in northern Saskatchewan in order to make way for a uranium mine. Deranger, who is Dene and a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, then spent the early years of her life growing up downstream from the Alberta oil sands.
Music industry trailblazer Elaine Bomberry says more investment in artists needed
February 04, 2020 22:30 - 21 minutes - 47.8 MBElaine Bomberry is a trailblazer in the music industry. For the past three decades, she has produced award winning shows like Rez Bluez on APTN, and managed Juno award winning artists. Bomberry also helped co-create a Juno award category solely for Indigenous artists. But at the start of her career, there were very few Indigenous people working behind the scenes in the music industry.
SCO Grand Chief says ‘societal change’ needed to end millennial scoop
January 28, 2020 22:30 - 21 minutes - 48.7 MBOn this episode of Face to Face: Jerry Daniels has a lot of priorities for his second term as the grand chief of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) in Manitoba. Improving health outcomes, supporting families, bringing children home, reducing the number of Indigenous peoples incarcerated and tackling the meth crisis are just some of the issues Daniels hopes to address.
NHL announcer overcomes odds to realize lifelong dream
January 21, 2020 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.4 MBOn this episode of Face to Face: Clarence Iron has overcome many challenges in his lifetime. Now, he says he’s let go of drugs and alcohol and has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. Iron, who is a member of Canoe Lake Cree Nation, recently signed a three-year deal with Rogers to provide play by play for Rogers Hometown Hockey in Cree on APTN.
Satirical group promoting pipeline through golf courses, cemeteries and schools
January 14, 2020 22:30 - 23 minutes - 51.5 MBOn this episode of Face to Face: Energy is life – that’s the tagline for one of the videos online promoting the Indigenous Pipeline Council. The videos are pranks but the reactions from the people in them are real. The Indigenous Pipeline Council is the work of comedians and environmental rights activists, Gitz Crazyboy and Tito Ybarra. Crazyboy is from Alberta and grew up near the oil sands. Ybarra is from the Red Lake Tribe in Minnesota, in the pathway of Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline.
Master carver feels ‘immense responsibility’ to the Witness Blanket
January 07, 2020 22:30On this episode of Face to Face: The Witness Blanket will forever stand as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era. It was a huge undertaking for artist and Master Carver Carey Newman and his team. More than 800 pieces were gathered from survivors and sites of 77 Residential Schools across Canada.
Master carver feels ‘immense responsibility’ to the Witness Blanket
January 07, 2020 22:30On this episode of Face to Face: The Witness Blanket will forever stand as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era. It was a huge undertaking for artist and Master Carver Carey Newman and his team. More than 800 pieces were gathered from survivors and sites of 77 Residential Schools across Canada.
Music is ‘my therapy and my outlet’ says Don Amero
December 17, 2019 22:30 - 23 minutes - 51.9 MBOn this episode of Face to Face: Life could have turned out a lot different for Don Amero. The award winning musician’s parents split up when he was around 11 years old in what he says was a “really bad divorce.” Growing up, there was always music in the house. Both of Amero’s parents played and sang. Life in the north end of Winnipeg was also rough where Amero says there was a high rate of poverty and a lot of broken homes. For Amero, music quickly became his vice.
APTN has proven ‘misconceptions false’ about Indigenous network says outgoing CEO Jean La Rose
December 10, 2019 22:30 - 23 minutes - 51.5 MBOn this episode of Face to Face – Our conversation with Jean La Rose continued: APTN is marking 20 years on the air and in doing so, it’s proving the naysayers who said it couldn’t be done, wrong says long time CEO Jean La Rose. For those who say “Indigenous people can’t manage their own affairs, no matter what you throw at them it’s either wasted or misspent, I think not only is APTN but many other organizations now are proving those conceptions to be totally false” says La Rose.
‘We had to prove ourselves in ways that others don’t’: APTN’s outgoing CEO
December 03, 2019 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.4 MBIn this episode of APTN Face to Face: When Jean La Rose was brought on as CEO of APTN the network was in a difficult spot. It was 2002 and the broadcaster was still in its infancy. It was also on the brink of going off the air. APTN was nearly $6-million dollars in debt and the financial situation meant many tough decisions had to be made. While that may have been a low point for the network, there have been many milestones for the CEO who is leaving the network in December after 17 ye...
Fort William chief wants to rebuild relationship with Thunder Bay mayor
November 26, 2019 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.6 MBIn this episode of APTN Face to Face: The long-time chief of Fort William First Nation hopes the relationship with the mayor of Thunder Bay can be repaired. Earlier this year, Peter Collins, chief and the CEO of Fort William, called for Bill Mauro to step down from his role on the embattled Thunder Bay Police Services Board. That and more in this episode of Face to Face.
People’s attitudes around reconciliation still need to change says award winning playwright Ian Ross
November 19, 2019 22:30 - 22 minutes - 50.4 MBIn this episode of APTN Face To Face: All good plays ask a question according to award winning Anishinaabe playwright and author, Ian Ross. Ross’ latest offering, The Third Colour explores the notion of reconciliation and poses the question, what’s next?