Inuit slam TV channel's language policy (fwd)

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Inuit slam TV channel's language policy

Last Updated: Mar 4 2005 12:32 PM MST
http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=english-film-03042005

IQALUIT - Prominent Nunavummiut are criticizing a popular television
broadcaster for a new policy they say damages the Inuktitut language.

[photo inset - Norman Cohn says APTN's new policy makes no sense]

The policy of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network requires films
in an aboriginal language be dubbed in English or French.

Among the critics of the move are the people behind the film Atanarjuat:
the Fast Runner.

Norman Cohn of Igloolik Isuma Productions says television stations in 20
countries are airing Atanarjuat in Inuktitut, with subtitles in English
or French.

So he's furious that Isuma will now have to provide English-language
versions of Isuma's future films to get on APTN.

"The idea that the Aboriginal television network should be the first
network on Earth that actually requires us to provide dubbed versions –
we think that that's sort of ridiculous and kind of sad."

Nunavut's minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth is also
denouncing APTN's policy.

Louis Tapardjuk says at a time when aboriginal languages are struggling
to survive in most of Canada, the policy doesn't make sense.

"Any channel that you turn on the dial on TV you don't pick up any other
languages except English and French, and APTN is the only station that
our unilingual Inuit in Nunavut can understand," he says.

"This new policy is a step backwards."

Tapardjuk is calling on all members of Nunavut's legislative assembly to
voice their opposition to the new film policy.

APTN has not yet returned calls.

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