Renowned Kanien’kehá:ka journalist Thaioronióhte Dan David, a key figure in establishing the news division of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), has passed away at the age of 73 after battling cancer. His sister, Marie David, confirmed the news of his demise on January 12.
Karyn Pugliese, a host and producer at APTN and a close friend and colleague of David, expressed deep sorrow over his passing, emphasizing his significant impact on numerous Indigenous journalists whom he mentored and supported in launching their careers. Pugliese referred to David as the “father of APTN News,” attributing to him a pivotal role in reshaping the narrative of Indigenous stories in media.
David’s involvement in founding APTN News in 2000, initially known as InVision News, stemmed from his firsthand experience of observing mainstream media’s misrepresentation of his community during the Oka Crisis in 1990. This 78-day standoff in Kanehsatà:ke, Quebec, involved Kanien’kehá:ka protesters, Quebec police, the RCMP, and the army over land disputes.
Having been reporting for CBC during the crisis, David’s insights were sidelined due to perceived bias, which fueled his commitment to rectifying misrepresentations of Indigenous peoples in media. His subsequent assignment to aid the South African Broadcasting Corporation post-apartheid left a lasting impression on him, shaping his approach in establishing APTN’s news department.
Remembered for his humor and empathetic leadership, David’s legacy in reshaping Indigenous storytelling in media remains profound. His sister, Marie, highlighted his dedication to biking for cancer research in his final years, underscoring the positive impact he had on countless individuals through his mentoring and teachings.
David’s passing has elicited an outpouring of tributes from those he influenced, underscoring the lasting imprint he left on the field of Indigenous journalism.
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