Face To Face

Billy Merasty has played dozens of roles during his four decades on the screen and on the stage. On the season finale of Face to Face, he credits his role as Roger Laughingstick on the hit comedy series Acting Good with rejuvenating his career.

Jaime Black-Morsette started the REDress project in 2010, an awareness campaign that hung empty red dresses in public places to get people talking about the MMIWG crisis. On this episode of Face to Face, she talks about her new book on the Red Dress movement.

Reality is beginning to sink in for Tréchelle Bunn following a surreal couple of weeks that saw her wrap up her second year of law school, claim an Indspire Award and become the youngest and first female chief of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation.

Après 33 ans comme chef régional de l'APNQL, Ghislain Picard revient sur ce qui l'a poussé à se lancer en politique. Dans cet épisode spéciale de Face to Face en français, il parle de son parcours, de son héritage, et de son nouveau chapitre de vie. --- After 33 years as Regional Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard reflects on what led him into politics. In this special French-language episode of Face to Face, we talk about his journey, his legacy, and the new chapter ahead.

Winning a Juno Award was one of the bigger goals Sebastian Gaskin set for himself when he started doing music professionally. On this Face to Face, he says winning Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year was also a win for the people of his Nation.

Victoria Pruden has only been in the role of president of the Métis National Council for a few months but she knows the 40 year-old organization is in an unprecedented time. The last three and a half years have been filled with division and turmoil as that the Manitoba Métis Federation, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and Métis Nation British Columbia have all withdrawn from the organization, leaving just the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, formerly known as the Métis Nation of Alberta. Pruden says MNC has never faced a situation like this before.

Tim Carwell is a dedicated entrepreneur but he is also deeply involved in initiatives that promote goodwill and support Indigenous communities. On this episode of Face to Face, Carwell shares how his mother's resilience as a Sixties Scoop survivors inspires his advocacy and how Indigenous social enterprise can reshape reconciliation across Turtle Island.

Paul Barnsley was inspired by the Watergate hearings as a teen. Now, nearly 40 years into his journalism career, he leads APTN Investigates, uncovering stories others try to hide. On this episode of Face to Face, Barnsley shares the highs and heartbreaks — from the night Dudley George was killed to the Bruce Carson investigation that made national headlines. He reflects on lessons learned, the people who shaped him and why trust and compassion matter in investigative reporting.

Without music, Jessa Sky says she's not sure how she would've made it through her childhood let alone make a career out of it. On this episode of Face to Face, she says she writes songs to work through her own issues with the hopes of helping others.

Tabatha Bull is president and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business and an Anishinaabe member of Nipissing First Nation in Ontario. Her leadership has earned widespread recognition, including CEO of the Year by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in 2022, one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2023, and a four-time Top 100 Lobbyist in Canada. She also serves on the Prime Minister's Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.

As he closes in on his 40th year in the education sector, Charles Cochrane says it's been a very rewarding ride. Cochane, executive director of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, says while curriculums, resources and funding for on reserve education have all evolved significantly over the years – First Nations administering their own schools and education have always been the goal.

During her acceptance speech, Kyra Wilson told the chiefs in attendance she was aware of all the issues currently facing First Nations people in Manitoba and confidently told those gathered that “we will tackle every single one.” Wilson was elected in the first round of voting for grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) on Jan. 29. The AMC held an election after the sudden death of Cathy Merrick in September 2024. Wilson said that straightforwardness is pretty much how she's been for much of her life thanks in part to how her mother raised her.

This summer will mark the 35th anniversary of Canada's violent siege of Kanehsatà:ke and Kahnawà:ke – commonly called the Oka Crisis. Ellen Gabriel became a spokesperson for her community that summer and says it's time to reclaim the narrative.

The first-ever Indigenous underwater documentary series is airing now on APTN. Created by Len Morissette, the 13-part series explores the impact of human activity on fragile aquatic life and ecosystems. In this episode of Face to Face, Morissette shares his hopes for the series.

Cree singer-songwriter Jade Turner released three singles in 2024, including a song that took home the song of the year award at the Manitoba Country Music Awards. On Face to Face, she discusses her recent accolades and her upcoming third studio album.

Michelle O'Bonsawin is the first Indigenous person to sit on the Supreme Court of Canada – and says she felt the weight of it on her shoulders in her first year. On this Face to Face, she talks about the lived experience she brings to the role.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations says there's still a lot of work to do during her term as national chief. She tells Face to Face the AFN will continue to call for an inquiry into police brutality and killings.

It's been a transformative year for Mohawk singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish. She became a mother, was nominated for two Juno Awards, released five singles and was named one of TikTok's 2024 Indigenous Visionary Voices. Kish feels lucky to be in the position that she is in, but admits the music industry has not always been welcoming to her as an Indigenous, Two-Spirit person.

University of Manitoba History and Indigenous Studies Prof. Sean Carleton doesn't mince words when it comes to the impact of the late Murray Sinclair. “Quite simply, Murray Sinclair changed Canada forever,” says Carleton on the latest episode of Face to Face.

Indigenous leaders have raised concerns over Ottawa's Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business initiative for decades. On Face to Face, investigative journalist Patti Sonntag says she never expected her reporting would lead to a cabinet resignation.

It started with Hollywood and the portrayal of Indigenous Peoples on the big screen in the 2009 Peabody Award-winning film Reel Injun. The documentary used hundreds of clips from classic and newer movies and featured interviews with Hollywood legends like Clint Eastwood to look at the evolution of Indigenous Peoples on the big screen. Fifteen years later, Neil Diamond is back as a co-director of two films that look at the impacts Indigenous Peoples have had on Western society and why its culture is so often appropriated.

On this episode of Face to Face: Charly Edsitty A lack of a clean water supply in the largest reservation in the United States is a century-old issue, but it's an issue that many Americans have never heard about. Navajo journalist Charly Edsitty says she hopes to raise awareness of the history of oppression and exclusion that has kept the Navajo from their water and the ongoing legal and political battles to secure basic human rights.

On this episode of Face to Face: Paul Spence Paul Spence is an actor known to many as Dean Murdock from the mockumentary FUBAR, which spawned two films, a TV series and a book. Now, Spence is back with an origin story of Dean that is unrelated to the FUBAR franchise called Deaner ‘89.

On this episode of Face to Face: Governor General of Canada Mary Simon. Simon, who was sworn in on July 26, 2021, is the first Indigenous governor general and the 30th since Confederation. Prior to the role, she was nationally and internationally recognized for her work on Arctic and Indigenous issues.

On this episode of Face to Face: Desiree Dorion The country music industry, south of the Medicine Line, has long been known as an old boys club where women are underrepresented. On this episode of Face to Face, Desiree Dorion says it's no better in Canada, especially if you're a woman of colour.

On this episode of Face to Face: Melissa Robinson Host Dennis Ward leaves the studio and heads to the streets for his interview with Melissa Robinson on the season premiere of Face to Face. Robinson is the cousin of Morgan Harris, one of the victims of a Winnipeg serial killer. She is also the co-chair of Morgan's Warriors, an outreach group helping some of Winnipeg's most vulnerable.

Filmmakers, MMIWG2S advocates, doctors, authors, lawyers and a sitting premier were all among the 27 guests featured on this past season of Face to Face. We wrap up season 10 with a look back on some of those episodes and some of the themes that stood out during the past 8 months. Face to Face will return for an 11th season in the fall as we approach our 250th episode.

Over the past four decades, Lisa Meeches has produced countless acclaimed films and television programs. She tells Face to Face there are hopes to renew the series Taken, which told the stories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Landing the role as Taloa in the Marvel mini-series, Echo wasn't just a big deal for Katarina Ziervogel as a deaf actor. She says the show, which focuses on a deaf and Indigenous superhero played by Alaqua Cox, is opening the door for other Deaf actors to enter the entertainment industry.

Julian Falconer is a well-known figure in the Canadian legal community and is recognized as one of the country's top human rights lawyers. He tells Face to Face why three families he is representing are calling for the Thunder Bay Police Service to be disbanded.

Cody Lightning played the role of young Viktor in the 1998 cult classic Smoke Signals. On Face to Face, he shares his journey to write, direct and star in Hey Viktor, a mockumentary about Cody's attempt to make the sequel, Smoke Signals 2: Still Smoking.

The Indigenous Screen Office recently celebrated the news of long-term stable funding. The ISO was launched in 2017 to champion Indigenous screen-based storytellers and through funding and advocacy work. On this Face to Face CEO Kerry Swanson explains the importance of the ISO.

In December 2023, Dr. Rebekah Neckoway became the first Indigenous chief medical officer to be appointed in Ontario. On this Face to Face, she says it's an honour and hopes the appointment will set a precedent for other provinces and territories.

Award-winning author Michael Hutchinson's mystery series Mighty Muskrats has been praised for its cultural and historic context and young kid's rez humour. He shares how he wants the series to help educate youth on First Nations issues.

Lance Cardinal has made a name for himself by bringing Indigenous and Two-Spirit representation to public spaces and the small screen. Known for his vibrant murals and zest for life, it seems Lance's goal is to create positivity wherever he goes.

Kelvin Redvers has been working in the film and television industry for two decades but has just released his first feature film. The thriller, Cold Road, is about an Indigenous woman and her dog being hunted by a stranger in a semi-truck on an isolated highway in the North.

Since the death of his son Harlan to an accidental drug poisoning, Joseph Fourre has been raising awareness about the harms of drugs with a campaign to youth call No Thanks I'm Good. On Face to Face, Fourre discusses his son, the campaign and his past.

President, chief operating officer, band councilor and consultant on the set of Blackstone, Dean Janvier has done it all. Growing up, it was the big screen that most interested Janvier, but it wasn't meant to be. A “fluke” job at the Assembly of First Nations has resulted in decades of work in First Nations and Canadian politics, economic development and Nation building. Janvier, who is Dene and a member of the Cold Lake First Nations in northeastern Alberta, is now a partner in audit and assurance at Deloitte Canada.

Award-winning Ojibway playwright, novelist and filmmaker Drew Hayden Taylor is the author of more than 30 pieces of work. On this episode of Face to Face, Taylor says any and all topics, no matter how difficult the subject, can be discussed through humour.

For nearly 20 years, Sara Mainville has been practicing law in areas such as self-government and advancing treaty implementation. It's important work, but it can also move at a “glacial pace,” says the Anishinaabe lawyer on this episode of Face to Face.

Politics was not Edmonton city councillor Aaron Paquette's first passion. Art was a way for Paquette to express himself. On this episode of Face to Face, the award-winning author and artist discusses his journey from the grassroots to political office.

Prior to becoming the premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew was a rapper, broadcaster and university administrator. Right out of the gate, Kinew was seen as a rising star and a potential future leader of the Manitoba NDP. But before even being elected, there were tough questions about his past.

It is often said that Winnipeg and Manitoba are ground zero for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and gender-diverse peoples. Long-time advocate, Sandra Delaronde agrees with that assessment and believes the statistics show it will continue to be.

Jennifer Laewetz, known as Jennifer Elle online, is a policy analyst and communications professional who works for Warshield, an Indigenous-owned and led consulting firm. On this episode of Face to Face, she shares her thoughts on the AFN, whether she'll run for office and harassment online.

Darla Contois is an actor and playwright from Misipawistik Cree Nation in Manitoba. On this episode of Face to Face, she shares her career journey from nearly quitting acting to starring in Little Bird, the acclaimed mini series about the 60s Scoop.