The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) announced the election of six new Directors to its Board of Directors. The election took place at a meeting of members held in Quebec City on April 27 and 28th, with Clayton Gordon of Aklavik elected as the new Chair.

Gordon is a 34 year old Inuvialuk business consultant and a founding director of the Corporation, looks forward to leading the network into its second year of operations. "APTN has already impacted on the Canadian broadcasting scene," he said. "We’ve seen incredible growth over our first year, and we’ve got some very exciting projects in development."

Gordon paid tribute to his predecessor, JC Catholique. "JC led APTN into its first year, and we all owe him a great debt of thanks. I look forward to carrying on what he started, and to working with a great staff and Board."

Six new Directors also joined the APTN Board:

• Judy Gingell, APTN Northern Director (Executive Director, Skookum Jim Friendship Centre)

• Kenneth Young, APTN Southern Director (Manitoba Regional Vice Chief, Assembly of First Nations)

• Cynthia Lickers, APTN Southern Director (Executive Director, Centre for Aboriginal Media; Director of Programming, Imagine NATIVE Media Arts Festival; Sole Proprietor, Clickers Productions)

• Deborah Charles, APTN Southern Director, (CEO Chief Executive Officer, Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation)

• David McLeod APTN Southern Director (General Manager, Native Communications Incorporated [NC]; Board Member, Broadcast Association of Manitoba

• Mike Metatawabin, APTN Southern Director (President, Wawatay Communications Society)

APTN is the only Aboriginal television network in the world broadcasting 120 hours a week of programming by Aboriginal people, about Aboriginal people, for all Canadians. 60% of APTN broadcasts are offered in English, 150% in French and 25% in Aboriginal languages, with 70% produced in Canada. For more information contact APTN toll-free at 1.888.278.8862 or visit our website at http://www.aptn.ca.