Beginning with this issue, What’s Up Yukon will be publishing a monthly entertainment roundup of APTN programming specific to the Yukon. I’ll do my best to provide you with highlights for each month and I’ll throw in an insider tidbit, here and there, just to remind you that Canadian TV is cool.
Tidbit #1: Did you know that the hunky “wolf pack” actor in the blockbuster Twilight movie sequel, New Moon (set to be released Nov. 20), is none other than Bronson Pelletier, the main character of the long-time APTN series, renegadepress.com.
Cool, huh?
So what’s new at APTN for November? Fall and winter are busy times here, and this year is no exception. Having celebrated our 10th anniversary, in September, the network launched an exciting new fall-programming season with a schedule chock full of new series, comedies, kids’ programs, music, movies, documentaries and more.
You may have already seen the premiere of the new APTN series, Double Trouble, a hilarious teen comedy à la The Parent Trap, and new seasons of the returning children’s series, Inuk.
Rave reviews are also coming in from the October premieres of the documentary history series, Chiefs, the saga of the great First Nations leaders, warriors and diplomats, such as Sitting Bull, Pontiac, Joseph Brant, Black Hawk and Poundmaker, and the War of 1812 (the war that sealed the destiny of North America).
Early this month, music enthusiasts will be excited to see that APTN and APTN HD will once again broadcast the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, live from Winnipeg (Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. Yukon time). This year’s show, hosted once again by Lorne Cardinal (Corner Gas), features performances from Buffy Sainte-Marie, Charlie Major, George Canyon, Sierra Noble, Tracy Bone, Joey Stylez, Inez and Digging Roots.
Tidbit #2: Canadian Aboriginal artists are making waves in the music world. Crystal Shawanda’s album, Dawn of a New Day, debuted at No. 2 on the Canadian Country Albums chart and No. 16 on the U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums chart, while blues artist Derek Miller is a two-time winner of the Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year, for his albums Lovesick Blues and The Dirty Looks.
Also, in November, we’ll honour our veterans with special APTN Remembrance Day programming that will include Reservation Soldiers, chronicling the journey of a select group of Aboriginal youth vying to join the military ranks; Trudell, the engaging life story of Native American poet-prophet-activist, John Trudell; Ayaa – A hero’s Journey, the amazing story of First Nations war veteran Albert Thomas as he discovers his Dutch immigrant neighbour was one of two children he saved half a century before in war-torn Holland; the War of 1812 and Born in the Snow, the fascinating story of Eddy Weetaltuk, who, using the borrowed name of Edward Vital, joined the Canadian Forces and took part in the Korean War at a time when Aboriginal people were not allowed to enlist.
We’ll close out the month with new seasons of our Northern-language programming including Takuginai, a children’s show broadcast in Inuktitut; Qaujisaut, a lifestyles show targeted to Inuit youth; Niqitsiat, the popular Inuit cooking show; and Kippinguijautiit, an Inuit entertainment program showcasing Northern musicians, performers, games, athletes, artists, comedians and storytellers.
And don’t forget to check out the APTN National News (weekdays at 4 p.m. Yukon local time) with its new, hour-long edition and our two all-new News and Current Affairs programs, APTN InFocus and APTN Investigates (Fridays at 4:30 p.m.).
Next month: watch for the rollout of our pre-Olympic programming.
Make sure to log on to www.aptn.ca to see our full Northern schedule and more information on current programming and initiatives, contests and memberships.
