By Emelia Fournier, Communications Coordinator, APTN

For the eighth consecutive year, APTN has earned the title of one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, and one of Manitoba’s Top Employers for the 12th consecutive year.

According to its employees, these titles are well-deserved. “The work environment at APTN is very friendly, and you can always ask for advice, whether it is for work or personal support,” said programming administrative assistant Rochelle Guiboche.

APTN joined the broadcasting industry in 1999 as a small network with big dreams. More than 20 years later, APTN has produced original news programs, helped start arms-length companies, galvanized the Indigenous production industry and launched its own streaming service, APTN lumi.

Throughout these accomplishments, APTN never stopped prioritizing its talented, hard-working staff.

APTN is a great employer for young people. Just ask recent grads Owen Pantos, marketing coordinator, and Danielle Gagnon, sponsorship and public relations coordinator.

According to Owen Pantos, “the ties to the community and good intentions behind every decision” are reasons he enjoys working at APTN.

APTN understands that employees require a worklife balance and that employees will only be happy and productive when they’re properly treated, compensated and recognized. – Danielle Gagnon

Community relations coordinator Sherry Meilleur said, “APTN is a top employer because of its caring workplace and the many opportunities it offers its employees.” These opportunities include annual tuition subsidies so APTN employees can grow within the network.

Seasoned journalists working for APTN say the network’s mandate to share Indigenous stories through Indigenous voices is apparent in its news programming.

“Working at APTN is unique because you can see the news from an Indigenous perspective. I’ve worked with other major Canadian news networks, and you can tell the difference between our coverage and theirs on the same story,” explained Edmonton-based video journalist Chris Stewart.

Being part of an organization that provides a platform for Indigenous Peoples is a source of pride for many APTN employees. This resonates with digital librarian Gwen Lingelbach:

“I feel APTN is unique in the fact that it is Canada’s first national broadcaster for Indigenous Peoples, and it shares their stories in an effort to create understanding and respect. APTN has a strong social conscience.”

At the heart of it all, APTN’s audience is the raison d’être of the network. Meilleur shared a stirring memory of her time at APTN:

“During the 2010 Olympics, an Elder called me, crying. When I asked him why he was upset, he said, ‘I’m not upset! I’m sitting here on the couch with my grandson watching hockey in my language!’ This man was a residential school survivor whose language was stripped from him. He never thought in his wildest dreams that he would live to see something like that.”

Underlying the company’s treatment of employees and corporate culture is a commitment to uplifting Indigenous Peoples
across Canada and fostering connection between all Canadians.

Promotions producer Natalie Batkis summed this up perfectly: “We don’t only provide entertainment, we also provide healing in so many ways.”