APTN’s Languages Campaign Wins Campaign of the Year

Think Shift Nov 03, 2021

Marketing

T Think Shift takes home two Signature Awards for “Speak With Pride” awareness campaign

Monday, Oct. 25 – Winnipeg, MB – Local advertising agency, Think Shift, and APTN took home Campaign of the Year and Judges’ Favourite Campaign at the annual Signature Awards, held by the Advertising Association of Winnipeg. APTN’s language revitalization campaign aims to bring awareness to the 70+ Indigenous languages spoken across Turtle Island and the heartbreaking reality that many are at risk of being lost permanently.

“Our language campaign aims to show that Indigenous language reclamation is possible,” says Lisa Ducharme, APTN’s director of online content. “We want our stories of progress to inspire hope and pride among our people. Language is—and has always been—the foundation of our culture and identity. APTN is eternally grateful to the language keepers who supported ‘Speak With Pride’ by sharing their words, voices and stories with us. They aspire to exercise collective strength in bringing our languages back.”

This year, Think Shift and APTN marked National Indigenous Languages Day by launching the “Speak With Pride” campaign nationwide. Through the online platform at speakwithpride.ca, audiences were encouraged to discover the stories of Indigenous community members. The website remains a virtual safe space for language keepers to share their stories, for silent speakers to find their voice and for language seekers to learn.

“We are incredibly proud of what this language revitalization campaign stands for and very pleased that its importance and creativity was recognized with an award,” says Think Shift chief executive officer, Robert Thorsten. “We are honored to work with a ground-breaking client like APTN and have the opportunity to create meaningful campaigns like this one.”

Since colonization, Indigenous languages have been disappearing at an alarming rate, a reality only exacerbated by the Canadian residential school system. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the Indigenous Languages Act both shed light on language loss and the urgent need to protect Indigenous languages. As part of that effort, “Speak With Pride” celebrates language keepers with (digital) badges of honour.

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Think Shift is a Winnipeg-based advertising agency and corporate culture consultancy that helps organizations change from the inside out, creating connected clients, engaged employees and intentional leaders.

APTN launched in 1999 as the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster, creating a window into the remarkably diverse mosaic of Indigenous Peoples. A respected non-profit and charitable broadcaster, it is the first of its kind in North America. The network is Sharing Our Stories of authenticity in English, French and a variety of Indigenous languages to over 10 million Canadian subscribers. With over 80% Canadian content, APTN connects with its audiences through genuine, inspiring and engaging entertainment on multiple platforms.

Media contact:

Anne Royal

Sales and Marketing Executive, Think Shift

(204) 989-4323

anner@thinkshiftinc.com

APTN Contact Details:

Jacqueline Jubinville

Director of Communications, APTN

(204) 990-3562

jjubinville@aptn.ca

LINKS:

Speak With Pride website: https://speakwithpride.ca/

APTN Speak With Pride release: https://corporate.aptn.ca/features/aptns-new-awareness-campaign-seeks-to-revitalize-indigenous-languages/