Indspire announces new board member
October 17, 2023 – Ohsweken, ON.
Indspire is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member of its Board of Directors: Jean La Rose, President & CEO of Dadan Sivunivut. He brings a wealth of experience in media and communications to Indspire along with a storied career in Indigenous media and business.
A member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak and the former CEO of APTN, Jean La Rose is also an Indspire Laureate (Media & Communications – 2011) who established APTN in numerous communities across Turtle Island and positioned it as a founding member of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN). Under his leadership, APTN became a partner of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and aired the first-ever Olympics broadcast in eight different Indigenous languages.
Launched in 2020 by APTN, Dadan Sivunivut houses APTN’s for-profit and business units; its mission is to amplify innovative Indigenous music and media to the world by utilizing the synergies of its companies. As its CEO, La Rose has spoken globally about the importance of Indigenous media and the need for meaningful reconciliation in the broadcasting industry.
Prior to his time at Dadan Sivunivut and APTN, he served as Communications Director for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for eight years, coming to that role from numerous positions with the federal government. La Rose gives his time to numerous organizations and has sat on many boards, including the Indigenous Screen Office, ‘Namgis Business Development Corporation, and La Cité Collégiale, among others. This will be his second term on the Indspire Board of Directors.
Donald Worme, Chair of Indspire’s Board of Directors, said: “Jean’s insightful leadership and unparalleled experience in Indigenous media will significantly benefit the Board as well as Indspire’s initiatives in general. We are excited to once again be working with Jean in this capacity.”
About Indspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs and shares resources so that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2022-23, Indspire provided more than $27.5 million through 7,500 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
Contact
Brandon Meawasige
VP, Communications & Marketing
bmeawasige@indspire.ca
1-855-463-7747 x2350
