What APTN has done for television, we are now hopeful we can achieve in radio and music through First Peoples Radio, or FPR.
FPR just launched two new indigenous radio stations in Ottawa and Toronto. Operating under the name ELMNT.FM, the CRTC licensed these two stations in June 2017 after a competitive process. ELMNT.FM will offer music, news and information programming, and call-in shows and talk shows from an indigenous perspective and in a popular format. They will also offer indigenous language programming relevant to each market. These stations receive no government funding so they will need to stand on their own in the competitive marketplace.
These stations will provide indigenous musicians with far more exposure and air time than they have ever received on mainstream radio. At least 25% of the music we play will be or feature Canadian indigenous artists. The talent pool is rich and one greater exposure for indigenous music can lead to more air time across other stations as well.
Two stations may not transform the music scene in the same way that APTN has done for television, but it's a start. The increased opportunity for indigenous musicians to earn royalties from airplay is welcome.
We are looking beyond radio too. Indigenous artists have been prolific in the creation of content and have influenced leading bands and entire genres of music. Allow me to direct your attention to a production by the Canadian indigenous production company, Rezolution Pictures, of Montreal.
The movie is titled Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World. It is an unprecedented documentary feature film about the history of music. Through the portrait of jazz, blues and rock icons, Rumble pays homage to the indigenous influences that have transformed popular music despite attempts to censor and eradicate native American cultures throughout history, a musical chapter too often muted that Rumble has finally met in front of the stage.
However, success in the mainstream and financial security are not common among these musicians. New digital platforms don't seem to be the answer, with many commentators pointing to the disconnect between how music is more available than ever on digital platforms, but payments to our artists are in decline.
APTN is currently developing a potential indigenous music management arm to assist indigenous artists to develop their careers and tap into available revenue streams.
As you are no doubt aware, live performance still makes up the greater part of musicians' livelihoods, so connecting audiences to indigenous talent is key to supporting this sector.
In addition, as a broadcaster, APTN is familiar with the large selection of content for synchronization with television and film production. This is an area of potential growth for indigenous artists. Through our radio services and music initiatives, APTN is focused on assisting indigenous musicians to take their rightful place in Canada's music landscape.