December 21, 2020
This piece was originally published in SAY Magazine on Dec. 19, 2020.
By Brittany Valcourt, Communications Assistant, APTN
The winter solstice is upon us, marking the longest and darkest night of the year. In belated honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, APTN invites you to illuminate the night with a unique adaptation of APTN Indigenous Day Live (IDL). From December 21-25, all APTN channels will broadcast the first-ever APTN Indigenous Day Live Winter Solstice celebrations from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
IDL has been held on the Saturday closest to National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) since its inception in 2007. However, IDL 2020 was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this, the network decided to transform its landmark summer event into a special pre-recorded winter celebration.
In accordance with the most recent recommendations and policies from the federal and provincial health authorities, APTN recorded some of Turtle Island’s best talent in the fall of 2020 ahead of IDL Winter Solstice. Viewers across the nation will be able to join in the celebrations from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
IDL has always brought together established and emerging Indigenous artists, and this year’s winter solstice edition is no different. Through five one-hour broadcasts on APTN, these artists write our collective story, honouring past and present struggles, and paving the way for brighter days ahead.
The winter solstice is a time of reflection, introspection and hope. In these tumultuous times, IDL Winter Solstice is a much-needed opportunity to reflect on the past year and to come together in celebration to usher in the new year.
We can’t be together in person, but we can still celebrate in unison.
BROADCAST DETAILS:
From December 21-25, tune in to IDL Winter Solstice on all APTN channels: aptn n, aptn e, aptn w, aptn hd.
The IDL Winter Solstice celebrations will be televised at 11 a.m. ET on aptn e/hd and 11 a.m. MT on aptn w. The aptn n broadcast will occur at 1 p.m. CT.
The one-hour event will be repeated daily at 5 p.m. ET on aptn e/hd, 5 p.m. CT on aptn n, and 5 p.m. MT on aptn w.
The televised broadcasts will be available for streaming on APTN lumi 24 hours after airing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the winter solstice with APTN! Join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram by tagging your posts with #IDLwintersolstice.
For more information and the complete IDL Winter Solstice roster, please visit indigenousdaylive.ca.