Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 30/98) - For decades, mainstream television networks have either presented reactionary or stereotypical images of aboriginal people or they have completely excluded them from the picture.

All of that is about to change.

"We will create a whole new image of aboriginal people," says Abraham Tagilik, one of the driving forces behind the proposed national aboriginal channel.

"The time has come, the time is now and we have to reach out and do this thing."

Known as APTN or the Aboriginal People's Television Network, the hopeful new entity includes the wide array of programming found on any other network but will be developed, produced and carried out by aboriginal people across Canada.

"We tried to meet all the different categories so we have news, children's, entertainment, sports," said Tagilik, who as the chair of the Television Northern Canada (TVNC) board, took part in a presentation to the CRTC in Ottawa two weeks ago.

As the final part of the intense application process, the hearing allowed APTN representatives to demonstrate the widespread support that surrounds them and to show the extensive benefits that would come with creating the network.

As well as producing numerous economic spin-offs and increasing the promotion of arts, tourism and aboriginal culture in general, APTN will create a huge number of jobs for First Nations and Inuit people both on and off the screen.

"We need producers, financiers and people in the industry in front of the camera, behind the camera. We just see so much potential and so much benefit," said Tagilik, adding that perhaps the most important spin-off is the increased number of role models for younger generations.

"We could provide people with a vision, especially aboriginal children who never really feel good about being aboriginal. We have to show them there's hope and it's worth getting a good job."

Tagilik says the CRTC is expected to respond early in the new year and that if they give their blessing, the first step will be to make the 21-member board official and to begin setting up shop and purchasing the necessary equipment.