2021 President's Award

RTDNA Canada is proud to announce that APTN News will receive the prestigious President’s Award

Congratulations to APTN! The growth and impact of APTN News is remarkable. Developing and mentoring Indigenous journalists and leaders, APTN is a model for so many news organizations. RTDNA Canada is proud to recognize and celebrate APTN.
– Fiona Conway, President, RTDNA Canada

About APTN News

APTN News launched in 2000 with the world’s first Indigenous news team on national television. Today, reporters in bureaus across the country report on stories that focus on the political and social conversations that are often ignored, underreported and sometimes misunderstood by mainstream news media. All the while, they share award-winning and unprecedented news perspectives with Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians. With six stand-alone shows, APTN News is committed to telling our stories, our way.

About Cheryl McKenzie

Journalist Cheryl McKenzie joined APTN 19 years ago as a reporter, then went on to host the APTN National News shows, APTN InFocus and APTN Investigates. She is now executive director of news and current affairs, running the entire news division of APTN. 

McKenzie looks back on the two decades with awe and pride, as the network is a multi-award-winning platform for journalists. 

“We have new people coming on, straight out of journalism school,” McKenzie said. “We show them how to file a national news story. They already come with a lot of those skills already they just need some opportunity to put that into practice. So, we show them how to do this and they step up and do these news stories. Then they graduate from school, a job will happen to be open in our newsroom and they apply, then they will get the job.” 

“So, they go from journalism school straight to a national correspondent job. We have provided that space for numerous journalists to bring them into Indigenous news. It’s refreshing to see those new voices coming in and bringing in those new ideas. We’re delighted to provide that space for Indigenous journalists in our newsroom.” 

With nearly two decades under her belt, McKenzie is now in a position to direct the next 20 years and beyond. 

“We have to grow digitally. We have to get our newscast out there to grow our audience, probably into another country” she said. “Definitely getting more of our voices out there, especially from our remote communities. We have to establish ourselves in locations that aren’t being reached.” 

A message from Cheryl

Message from Dan

The RTDNA Canada President’s Award is presented annually to honour individuals, stations, companies or groups who have brought distinction to, or have made major contributions to electronic journalism.

The recipient can come from within or outside the ranks of field. The award recognizes a contribution in such areas as technical innovation, personal or station excellence in news programming, or long distinguished service to the news industry.

The President’s Award recipient also receives a lifetime membership with RTDNA Canada.

RecipientYear
Dan Appleby2019
Rhonda Brown2019
Ron Kronstein2019
Liam Nixon2019
Manny Paiva2019
Jill Smith2019
Les Staff2019
Kathryn Stewart2019
Kevin Newman2018
Stuart McLean2017
Lisa LaFlamme2016
The Canadian Journalists2015
Lis Travers2014
Hudson Mack2013
Terry Scott2012
John Hinnen2011
Eric Morrison2010
Henry Champ2009
Robert Hurst2008
Peter Mansbridge2007
Peter Kent2006
Taylor Parnaby2005
Tony Burman2004
Del Archer2003
Gerry Phelan2002
George Clark2001
Wayne Waldroff2000
Spouses/Partners of RTDNA Members1999
Rex Murphy1998
Max Keeping1997
Tony Parsons1996
Craig Oliver1995
Pamela Wallin1994
Lloyd Robertson1993
Dick Smyth1992
Knowlton Nash1991
Jack Webster1990
Mark Starowicz1989
Don Cameron1988
Dr. Charles Allard1987
Allan Waters1986
Ron Laidlaw1985
Dr. G.R.A. Rice1984
Bill Hutton1983
Dave Rogers1982
Godfrey Hudson1981
Bert Cannings1980