The Yukon and Northwest Territories are in Canada’s north and border above British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The Indigenous peoples in the Yukon and Northwest Territory are the Dene, Southern and Northern Tutchone, Tlingit, Tagish, Kaska, Tanana, Han, Gwich’in(1), Inuit and Metis.
The Yukon and Northwest Territories are no strangers to Indigenous forms of media and communication. In fact, the breadth of radio, television and film productions among Indigenous peoples in northern Canada have been on the leading edge for decades. There continue to be plenty of examples of media and communication initiatives to ensure high quality of culturally infused programming is accessible throughout the remote northern communities of the Arctic.
Raven’s Eye – BC and Yukon Aboriginal News Publication is produced by Aboriginal Media Services (AMS) is an Aboriginal media selection and placement service. AMS work with clients to ensure that they reach Canada’s Aboriginal market efficiently and effectively(8). This newspaper has been in print since 1997 and has been offering information, news and stories from throughout BC and Yukon to increase dissemination of information and increasing a positive profile of Aboriginal initiatives.
A true pioneering spirit, Roman Bittman from Hay River, NWT offered sub-Arctic radio listeners Indigenous programming since the 1960s and has been forging ahead in multiple forms of broadcasting as a writer, director and producer. With a filmmaking and television production career spanning more than four decades he will be best known for producing the CBC The Nature of Things and the designer of the Film Industry Labour Tax Credit. 2001, Roman Bittman was honoured by his peers with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Media and Communication(9).
Alberta Mikisew Cree, George Turraco is a household name and voice in the Northwest Territories. George has a long established career in radio broadcasting began his career early with CBC Radio North at the age of 19 and over the 25 year span became known as “a treasure of the Northwest Territories”. George has a diverse career beyond being only a radio personality, and has been instrumental finding innovative ways to showcase his own comedian and musical talents and embarked on establishing a booking agency of northern talent and assisted in the organization of the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik. George also prides himself in the creation of an internationally award winning radio documentary that addressed the important issue of youth suicide. His illustrious broadcast, advocacy and entertainment career earned him peer recognition with the 2006 Media and Communication National Aboriginal Achievement Award(10).
This article is a non-comprehensive and living document that provides an overview of artistic activities in the region. It will be revised as necessary as part of our ongoing process of continuous updates.
1) http://travelyukon.com/aboutyukonterritory/firstnations/
8) http://www.ammsa.com/ams/index.htm
9) http://www.naaf.ca/html/r_bittman_e.html
10) http://www.naaf.ca/html/g_tuccaro_e.html