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APTN MEDIA ADVISORY 

Qallunaat! Why White People Are Funny Wins At the Gemini Awards 

October 16, 2008

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) congratulates the producers, cast and crew of Qallunaat! Why White People Are Funny for their success at the 23rd Gemini Awards. The show earned the Canada Award which recognizes excellence in mainstream television programming which best reflects the racial and cultural diversity of Canada.

Qallunaat! Why White People Are Funny, a one-hour is a docu-comedy show created as a collaboration between filmmaker Mark Sandiford and Inuit writer and satirist Zebedee Nungak. It was broadcast on APTN’s Reel Insights documentary series. The show takes a humourous look at North American society through the eyes of Inuit filmmakers, turning the camera lens around after other cultures have studied Inuit cultures for so many years.

“APTN extends its congratulations to the producers of Qallunaat! Why White People Are Funny for their success in receiving the Canada Award at this year’s Gemini Awards,” said Jean LaRose, APTN Chief Executive Officer. “As Canada’s first and only Aboriginal network, APTN is proud to present the diversity within First Nations communities to viewers across the country. This award shows that the independent Aboriginal production community comprised of First Nations, Inuit and Métis producers can produce programming that is second to none to other productions from around the world. APTN’s work with our production community is being recognized at the highest levels of Canada’s broadcasting industry and our stories are seen as an integral part of that industry.”

The Gemini Awards celebrate excellence in Canadian English-language television by creating a national television showcase to assist the industry in building television audiences and public awareness, as well as an appreciation of Canadian production and talent.

Other APTN’s programs recognized include Wapos Bay, renegadepress.com, Fish Out of Water, and the documentary A Place Between, a National Film Board of Canada production which aired on APTN’s Reel Insights documentary series. All have all been nominated for Gemini awards.

The Canada Award will be presented October 20, when the Canadian television industry gathers in Toronto at the Liberty Grand for the News, Sports and Documentary and Sports Gala. Other awards will be presented October 21st and 22nd at the Lifestyle, Children's and Youth Gala and Drama, Variety and Comedy Gala respectively. The 23rd Gemini Awards will be presented on November 28th, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

For more information about this film visit http://www.nfb.ca/collection/films/fiche/?id=52432

About APTN:

September 1, 2008 marked the nine-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in approximately 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite (DTH), telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers. APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862, or visit the website at www.aptn.ca.

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For further information, contact:

Sylvia Kolopenuk
Manager of Communications APTN
(204) 947-9331 ext. 339
skolopenuk@aptn.ca