Face To Face, hosted by Dennis Ward, is an interview show with a focus on Indigenous issues. We not only talk to those in the headlines, but also those who are affected by the many problems facing Indigenous urban and rural communities.
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For a generation of viewers, Nelson Bird was a mainstay on CTV News in Saskatchewan. Bird started his career in 1998 as a video journalist, producer and host of Indigenous Circle before becoming the assignment editor at CTV News Regina. He is now educating the next generation of Indigenous journalists at the First Nations University of Canada. • • • 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/
Nearly 33,000 people were forced from their homes in Manitoba due to wildfires in the spring and summer of 2025; the majority of them were from northern First Nations. The risk to life, property and the land is increasing as wildfires become more frequent in the province, but that hasn't translated into better planning and coordination for evacuations, says Garrison Settee. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: North Wind Standing Woman Isabel Daniels Isabel Daniels is from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and has been advocating for murdered and missing Indigenous Peoples for the past 14 years. She is an MMIWG2S family member and a survivor of human trafficking and childhood sexual exploitation. Isabel also helped create Velma's House in Winnipeg, the only designated 24/7 safe space for vulnerable and exploited women. With a background in social work and trauma therapy, she now advocates for murdered and missing Indigenous men and boys. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Ross 'Memphis' Pambrun One of the hardest things about growing up as a self-described "army brat" is having to start over with new friends in a new community says Ross 'Memphis' Pambrun. Pambrun is quick to tell people "he's living his best life" and when people ask him how they too can live their best life, he tells them that's for you to discover. The Métis business leader is a musician, decorated fire captain, podcaster, sought-after speaker and one of the hosts of the television series Red River Gold, which airs on APTN. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Alanis Obomsawin Meeting Alanis Obomsawin in the theatre that bears her name at the National Film Board's head office felt both natural and fitting, especially since she still makes a point of coming into the office a few days a week. Over the years, she has credited work for keeping her young. However, sitting down here with APTN News, Obomsawin added that children are what keeps her going. Before being a documentary filmmaker, Obomsawin sang. This brought her into classrooms around the country. She always requested that teachers send her drawings that the children may have done after her visits and they have obliged. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Sherry McKay Sherry McKay calls herself a "baby comedian." That's because she's only taken up space in the standup comedy industry for the past three years, although she's been telling jokes much of her own life. She shares her comedy journey on this episode of Face to Face. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Cody Groat As a professor in history and Indigenous studies, Cody Groat always has his eyes on political affairs, and at the moment, there is no shortage of consequential issues affecting Indigenous Peoples. The 10th anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final report is one of those top of mind issues for Groat, who is Mohawk and a member of Six Nations of the Grand River. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Joel Pedersen Our guest this week is Chief Warrant Officer Joel Pedersen of 38 Canadian Brigade Group in the Canadian Army's Third Division. In October 2024, he became the first First Nations person to serve as brigade sergeant major. The Fond du Lac band member joined the Canadian Army Reserve at 17 and later mentored Indigenous youth through the Bold Eagle program. He also spent time as a police officer with the Saskatoon Police Service during a period of high racial tension, joining not long after the starlight tours stories came to light. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Aysanabee Oji-Cree multi-instrumentalist, Aysanabee has been on a run like very few others in the Canadian music industry. He burst onto the scene in 2022 with his debut album Watin, named after his grandfather, a residential school survivor. The album, based in part on conversations between the two during the pandemic, was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize in 2023. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Niigaan Sinclair Educator, author and columnist Niigaan Sinclair brings sharp insight and clear perspective to every conversation – whether it's in the classroom or on the page. A professor in the department of Indigenous studies at the University of Manitoba, Niigaan was named columnist of the year at the 2018 National Newspaper Awards for his work with the Winnipeg Free Press. His national bestseller Winipek: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre won the 2024 Governor General's Award for non-fiction. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Santee Smith Kaha:Wi Dance Theatre, launched in 2005, now has more than a dozen productions and numerous short works attached to its name that have toured worldwide. Smith has also become an internationally recognized leader in the performing arts, the 19th Chancellor of McMaster University and a member of the Order of Canada. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Shane Belcourt Filmmaker Shane Belcourt's most recent documentary is Ni-Naadamaadiz: Red Power Rising, a documentary about an Indigenous-led occupation in Anicinabe Park over nearly 40 days in 1974. He tells Face to Face it was an electric time in history. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Francis Baptiste If you visit Francis Baptiste's website, the first thing you'll notice is the harsh way he describes himself as "a washed-up, divorced, recovering alcoholic and drug addict" who "tries to balance being a single father and a middle-aged musician, living under the poverty line in East Vancouver." Baptiste says the description is a little "tongue-in-cheek" but also the reality of the life he has lived for the last decade. Baptiste's latest album, Lived Experience in East Vancouver, was released on Oct. 24. It's his third full length and one he is particularly proud of. One of his goals with the new music is to break down the stigma around addiction. • • • 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/
Months after receiving an Oscar nomination for his first feature film, Sugarcane, Julian Brave NoiseCat says the whole experience is still surreal. On this episode of Face to Face, NoiseCat discusses the film and his debut book, We Survived the Night. • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Leena Minifie Gitxaala producer and filmmaker Leena Minifie has heard many horror stories of the discrimination Indigenous Peoples face during her more than 20 years as a journalist, film and television producer. However, even she was taken aback by some of the things she heard while working on The Good Canadian. Minifie co-directed the feature length documentary with Academy Award nominated director David Paperny. The film is described in the APTN press release as “part investigation, part real-life horror story, part national reckoning.” • • • 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 episode of Face to Face: Jennifer Wood At the age of 13, Jennifer Wood remembers being driven to the Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School with her suitcase and not comprehending what was going on until her father said he would see her at Christmas. She shares her story on Face to Face. • • • 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/
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.
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