The National Film Board has partnered with APTN to strengthen the role of Indigenous people in the film and television industry.
On Thursday morning the two organization signed a memorandum of understanding that will aim to bring the expertise of both organizations together to strengthen relations with Indigenous people and creators.
Last June, the NFB released a three-year plan to redefine their relationship with Indigenous people. People within the organization say this MOU is a part of that process.
“The NFB and APTN have a long history of working together,” said Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB in a media release. “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.”
“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.” said Jean La Rose, Chief Executive Officer of APTN in the same release.
The partnership will primarily allow the organizations to pool their expertise, develop joint projects, allow better distribution of NFB’s Indigenous collections, among many other things.
(PHOTO: Jean La Rose, Chief Executive Officer of APTN (Left) and Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB (Right) after signing the historic MOU. Photo provided by the NFB.)