Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – Remembering visionary Indigenous journalist Dan David

Thaioronióhte Dan David (Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk) launched the news department for Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). In doing so, he gave Indigenous voices a national public platform they did not previously have. He started his career with the CBC covering the Yukon Territory. He reported on the Oka Crisis, among many other historic events. After establishing APTN News, he spent a decade reshaping a national newsroom in post-apartheid South Africa. We’ll speak with David’s family, friends and colleagues about his many accomplishments and the importance of putting Indigenous voices front and center in news coverage.

We’ll also hear from a founder of the Lakota Times newspaper on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The independent weekly newspaper ceased publication this month after decades in operation, leaving a blank space for Native news in the Great Plains region.

GUESTS

Marie David (Kanien’kehá:ke Mohawk), sister to Dan David

Karyn Pugliese (Pikwàkanagàn First Nation), host and producer Nation to Nation of APTN News

Drew Hayden Taylor (Curve Lake First Nation), playwright and author

Bruce Spence (Opaskwayak Cree Nation), producer at APTN National News

Sylvia Vollenhoven, journalist and filmmaker

Amanda War Takes Bonnett-Beauvais (Oglala Lakota), public education specialist at the Native Women’s Society of the Great Plains and former editor and publisher at the Lakota Country Times

 

Break 1 Music: Stomp Dance (song) George Hunter (artist) Haven (album)

Break 2 Music: Mahaha: Tickling Demon (song) PIQSIQ (artist) Legends (album)