Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Cheryl McKenzie to the position of host and producer of APTN National News. Effective Monday, May 7, Ms. McKenzie will share the APTN National News set with fellow host news anchor, Michael Hutchinson. As host/producer of APTN National News, Ms. McKenzie will work to bring daily news to all Canadians, with an emphasis on delivering stories about the issues facing Aboriginal Peoples in Canada and around the world.
Ms. McKenzie is a proud Anishinaabe and Cree woman, whose parents are from the Hollow Water and Peguis First Nations. She began working for APTN in June 2024 as a reporter. In October 2024 Ms. McKenzie helped to launch the network's second live daily newscast, APTN National News: Daytime, taking on the role of host/producer. With more than 400 daytime news broadcasts under her belt, she hosted and produced APTN's current affairs viewer phone-in program, Contact, which led to her most recent role as host/producer for APTN InFocus and APTN Investigates for the past three seasons.
Ms. McKenzie has garnered acclaim in 2024 as a Gemini Award nominee and was also nominated for a Canadian Association of Broadcasters award for her journalism in a series of stories on the impact of asbestos contaminated insulation in on-reserve housing.
“We are very pleased that Ms. McKenzie has agreed to take on this important role,” said Jean LaRose, APTN’s Chief Executive Officer. “Cheryl is an enthusiastic, professional member of the APTN team and a role model for our community. We know she will bring new inspiration and excitement to our daily newscast.”