AIM, ICE and the history of Indigenous activism in Minneapolis
Release Date: 02/06/2026
B.C. Election: DRIPA, the environment and what’s at stake for voters
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, guest host Dennis Ward looks at the early election call in British Columbia and what’s at stake for voters. Candidates Leah Ballantyne of the NDP, Anna Mary McKenzie of the Green Party and Conservative incumbent Aaliya Warbus, join the show to discuss their parties’ platforms, Indigenous rights, climate change and the issues shaping the campaign. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: Hear more APTN News podcasts:
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Alberta separatism: Could Quebec offer a lesson for First Nations?
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, Cierra Bettens looks at the growing talk of separation in Alberta and what it could mean for First Nations in the province. Red River Métis journalist Danielle Paradis is the co-producer of the podcast Separation Anxiety: The Alberta Referendum and joins the show to discuss the roots of Alberta’s separatist movement and how Indigenous people are responding. APTN News online reporter Jesse Staniforth also looks back at Quebec’s separatist referendums and the lessons they may hold for Indigenous peoples facing renewed calls for separation. Separation...
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Truth before reconciliation: Fighting denialism with facts
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, guest host Dennis Ward looks at residential school denialism and the ongoing spread of misinformation about residential schools and survivors. University of Manitoba professors Sean Carleton and Niigaan Sinclair join the show to discuss their new book, Truth Before Reconciliation, along with why denialism persists, questions surrounding the anomalies found at former residential school sites, the role of politicians and Parliament and what it will take to confront denialism. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for...
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Looking deep into Canada’s opioid crisis
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens looks at Canada’s ongoing opioid crisis and its disproportionate impact on First Nations. Since APTN first reported on fentanyl in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in 2016, the opioid crisis has continued to claim lives across the country. APTN News journalist Karyn Pugliese and Raven Brascoupe join the show to discuss their new project that looks deep into the crisis. The project will include web stories and a podcast examining the opioid crisis through the experiences of people across Canada. If you’re using drugs, please don’t...
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Who’s responsible when wildfires hit Indigenous communities?
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens looks at Canada’s wildfire preparedness and the importance of the boreal forest. A recent Senate committee report found that wildfire preparedness and response responsibilities are spread across different levels of government, creating challenges with coordination. Arnold Lazare, interim CEO of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, joins the show to discuss what better wildfire organization could look like and why empowering communities is key. Executive Director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative Valérie Courtois joins...
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What happens when land back comes to your backyard? | APTN News: Answers
APTN News InFocus
It’s been almost one year since The Cowichan Tribe won a landmark decision recognizing Aboriginal Title to land owned by the Crown and the City of Richmond. On today’s show, we wanted to share another episode from APTN News: Answers – where Savannah Kelly and Jesse Andrushko dive in to figure out what the court decision actually means and what is at stake. Find more episodes here: • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: Hear more APTN News podcasts:
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Introducing Truth & Politics: What stood out at this year’s AFN annual general assembly?
APTN News InFocus
On this episode of APTN News InFocus, we’re bringing you the latest edition of the Truth & Politics podcast. Each week on APTN National News, our Truth & Politics panelists sit down with our hosts Dennis Ward to discuss important topics affecting Indigenous Peoples in the news. On this episode, the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly has now come to an end after a busy couple of days. As we've been reporting, major projects, residential school denialism and the wildfire situation were among the big topics. Joining Dennis Ward to discuss are Niigaan Sinclair with the...
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Homeless Karaoke - Introducing Our Relatives: Life on the Streets
APTN News InFocus
Homeless. Houseless. Shelterless. In Winnipeg, they're hard to miss. People sleep on sidewalks, in bus shelters, down alleyways, in tents and in abandoned buildings. But who are they? That's the question former APTN web reporter Kathleen Martens explores in the award-winning podcast series Our Relatives: Life on the Streets. As Winnipeg and communities across Canada continue to grapple with the toxic drug crisis and homelessness, we're sharing the first episode of this powerful limited series, called Homeless Karaoke. Find Our Relatives: Life on the Streets on your favourite player, or click...
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Fact-checking claims about Indian Status | APTN News: Answers
APTN News InFocus
No taxes, free housing, and free tuition? You've probably seen those claims online about Indian Status—but are they actually true? InFocus is taking a break for the summer, so while we're away, we're sharing some of our other work with you. Jesse Andrushko and Savannah Kelly launched a new YouTube series called APTN News Answers, where they break down questions, current events, and issues affecting Indigenous peoples. According to the latest Census, more than 830 thousand First Nations people in Canada are registered under the Indian Act. There are plenty of misconceptions about what that...
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What’s happening with the Thunder Bay Police Service?
APTN News InFocus
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, guest host Dennis Ward examines the ongoing controversies surrounding the Thunder Bay Police Service, a force that has faced numerous independent investigations over alleged discrimination against Indigenous Peoples. Journalist Jon Thompson joins the show to discuss his decades of reporting on policing issues in Thunder Bay, concerns about how missing persons investigations continue to be handled in the city and the relationship between police and the media. • • • APTN National News, our stories told our way. Visit our website for more: Hear...
info_outlineIndigenous activism has long shaped Minneapolis.
In 1968, the American Indian Movement was founded there, marking a turning point in the fight for Indigenous rights.
More than 50 years later, AIM members are back on the streets, responding to fears of racial profiling and unlawful detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as ICE.
On this edition of APTN News InFocus, host Cierra Bettens explores how Minneapolis’ history of Indigenous activism connects to today’s Native-led response to ICE.
She is joined by Heather Bruegl, a public historian, activist and a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.
Clip courtesy Minnesota Historical Society | Storied 1968: American Indian Movement – Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLh3gw0kVhQ
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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/