“Living Languages”: APTN and Rocket Fund Launch Initiative to Transform Indigenous Language Learning Through Children’s Media 

“Living Languages”: APTN and Rocket Fund Launch Initiative to Transform Indigenous Language Learning Through Children’s Media

TREATY 1 TERRITORY, WINNIPEG, Man., May 26, 2026 — APTN, in partnership with the Rocket Fund Canada, has launched Living Languages, a bold new initiative to strengthen Indigenous language learning for children and families through culturally grounded, engaging media. This initiative is designed to outline best practices for Indigenous language instruction through screen-based storytelling, while building models for content creation that can be adapted across multiple languages.  

Living Languages will develop a family-focused language education series, bringing language learning into homes, classrooms and communities — where language lives and grows. It will also accelerate the creation of children’s content in multiple Indigenous languages, significantly increasing access to high-quality, culturally authentic programming.

This project reflects APTN and the Rocket Fund’s shared commitment to investing in innovative  children’s media that promotes language revitalization, intergenerational learning and cultural continuity. It will begin with research, proof-of-concept development, and the adaptation of existing children’s programming into additional Indigenous languages. Insights gained will inform a repeatable, scalable framework for future Indigenous language productions, supporting sustained growth in both content and capacity across the industry.

Living Languages is particularly focused on languages with strong speaker communities but limited access to children’s educational media. Indigenous language educators and fluent speakers will play a key advisory role throughout the project, ensuring all content is rooted in community knowledge.

“This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening Indigenous language education across our platforms,” said Monika Ille, CEO of APTN. “We’re excited to partner with the Rocket Fund and work directly with the communities we serve to ensure children’s media is adaptable, accessible and culturally relevant. We want people to be able to connect with their languages wherever they are and carry that learning forward for generations.”

“The incredible partnership with APTN on Living Languages reflects our commitment to advancing content for Canadian and Indigenous children,” said Agnes Augustin, President & CEO, Rocket Fund.  “We are so proud to be able to support this special initiative, helping Indigenous languages, stories and voices remain accessible to children and families across generations. This meaningful opportunity to help advance APTN’s impact comes as we continue working toward sustainable solutions for Rocket Fund.” 

Living Languages builds on APTN’s broader commitment to expanding access to Indigenous language content and creating resources that serve communities over the long term.  

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About Rocket Fund Canada 

Rocket Fund Canada is a vital partner of the Canadian children’s media sector in offering children robust, world-leading content on all platforms. The Rocket Fund invests in and supports Canadian-made media that reflects Canadian and Indigenous values and diversity, and most of all respects and speaks to children, while positively showcasing Canadian leadership on the world stage. By working with industry, regulators, and governments, the Rocket Fund aims to make quality content for kids a global priority. Since its inception, the Rocket Fund has invested close to $300 million to support the production of Canadian media content for children, family, and youth audiences worldwide.  To learn more about Rocket Fund Canada, go to rocketfund.ca.

About APTN

APTN, launched in 1999, is the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world. The network is a global leader in programming that celebrates the rich diversity of Indigenous Peoples at home and abroad. A respected non-profit media company, APTN inspires audiences by sharing bold and authentic stories. APTN’s programming is available across multiple platforms: APTN (English and French channel), APTN Languages (Indigenous language channel), APTN+ (streaming service), APTN Beyond (FAST channel) and the APTN YouTube channel. 

Media Contact:
Joëlle Saltel
Manager of Communications, APTN
(431) 557-9909
jsaltel@aptn.ca  

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