First Nations Voice

SEPTEMBER 2016 • PAGE 3 Pamela Vernaus, APTN Communications Coordinator On Friday, September 9, at 7 p.m. MT, APTN will air the first episode of the new captivating, bone-chilling, 13-part documentary series Taken. Executive produced by critically acclaimed producer and Aboriginal activist Lisa Meeches and Kyle Irving of Eagle Vision (Sharing Circle and We Were Children). Filmed across Canada, Taken, shares the stories of 16, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) from coast-to-coast. Fami- lies and loved ones tell inspirational, heartbreaking, funny and touching sto- ries. Moreover, this riveting documen- tary series reintroduces these unsolved cases to the media and to generate tips from the public. "Taken could have the power to possibly solve some cases," said Ber- nadette Smith, the sister of Claudette Osborne-Tyo. Claudette was 21 years old when she was last seen in Win- nipeg in 2008. "When MMIWG isn't in the forefront of the media, peo- ple are not talking about it and may not know they are still missing, or their cases are still unsolved. This is something that has never been done before and viewers may have information we don't." The first episode reveals the story of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, whose body was pulled from the Red River in Winnipeg. Her case sparked international attention on Canada's national epidemic of MMIWG. "This series will have the same high profile as Tina Fontaine's case, it will be on the nation's consciousness, on the minds of all Canadians," said Smith. As the first national Aborigi- nal broadcaster in the world and Canada's only independent Ab- original network, APTN recognizes the importance of portraying the realities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. "Taken is a significant project that will make lasting, positive social impacts on the country by addressing and raising awareness in regard to the issue of MMIWG," said Jean La Rose, APTN's Chief Execu- tive Officer. "As a cultural institution that bridges the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples, we endeavour to offer programming that brings overlooked issues to light." APTN and CBC are presenting Taken in association with Eagle Vision, with the assistance of the Canada Media Fund and Manitoba Film and Music. Watch the world premiere of Taken, on APTN, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. MT on aptn w – featuring back-to- back episodes. See more on Taken at aptn.ca/taken. For more of what's on APTN, you can always check your local TV listings or check aptn.ca/schedule! Taken - Dedicates an episode to the Tina Fontaine case and many others. Thelma Favel (Tina's Aunt) Never Forgotten Bridge

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