Shane Taurima affiliates to the Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes and is the Tāhuhu Rangapū (Chief Executive) of Whakaata Māori. He has been at the helm of the organisation for the past four years, connecting and inspiring audiences in Aotearoa and around the world, with stories for, about and in te reo Māori.

 

With over 25 years of experience in the broadcasting industry and a background in politics, Taurima brings a wealth of expertise and leadership skills to his role at Whakaata Māori. He is also the Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN) Board.

 

Under Taurima's guidance, Whakaata Māori has become a leading advocate for the revitalisation of te reo Māori and a prominent Indigenous broadcaster in the country. The organisation has launched three applications, expanding its reach and accessibility to a wider audience, and has seen a growth in its audience viewership.

 

Taurima is a strong advocate for the preservation and promotion of Māori culture, voices and perspectives, and has made sure that Whakaata Māori plays a leading role in this effort by providing a platform for Māori language content. He is proud of the work he and his team have been able to achieve, stating, "We tell stories, about Māori, with Māori, in the Māori language and in Māori ways.” 

 

With his unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving Indigenous cultures and perspectives, Taurima is well-equipped to continue leading Whakaata Māori towards a bright future.

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Johan Ailo Kalstad currently serves as the Director of NRK Sámi, the Sámi department of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), a government-owned public broadcaster. NRK Sámi is dedicated to providing content to the Sámi people, the indigenous population of northern Europe who reside in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

 

With roots in Guovdageaidnu, a Sámi town in the northern part of Sápmi, Johan Ailo is fluent in the Northern Sámi language and holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at NRK Sámi, having worked in various Sámi organisations and previously serving as the Director of the Sámi University of Applied Sciences.

 

NRK Sámi, one of the oldest Sámi institutions, produces daily radio, television, and online content for all segments of the Sámi population in Norway. The organization airs and publishes content in three Sámi languages (the Northern, Lule, and Southern Sámi languages) as well as in Norwegian and has a close collaboration with SVT Sápmi, SR Sameradion, and YLE Sápmi, its sister organisations in Sweden and Finland.

 

Under Johan Ailo's Kalstad leadership, NRK Sámi remains dedicated to preserving and promoting Sámi culture and language and to giving a voice to the Sámi people. With a focus on digital transformation and a priority on reaching a young audience, NRK Sámi is poised to make valuable contributions to the Sámi community and media industry.

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Tanya Denning-Orman, a respected Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman from Central and North Queensland, is a trailblazer in the media industry. She has been the Director of Indigenous Content at National Indigenous Television (NITV), a part of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), since 2020. 

 

With over 20 years of media experience, Tanya has a proven track record of exceptional leadership and a dedication to amplifying Indigenous voices. She oversees NITV's diverse and innovative multiplatform content and plays a key role in developing and delivering First Nations storytelling across the SBS network. Tanya's media career includes previous positions as a journalist and producer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and SBS, and various roles at NITV since its establishment in 2007. 

 

She is also a prominent figure in the industry, serving on the boards of Media Diversity Australia, First Nations Media Australia, and the World Indigenous Television Broadcast Network. 

 

Her unwavering commitment to strong Indigenous media representation and her significant contributions to the industry make Tanya a respected leader in the field.

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Magaitan Lhkatafatu, a respected member of the Thao tribe from the Sun Moon Lake region, has had a long and distinguished career in the media industry. His journey began as a preparation staff member at Taiwan Indigenous Television at Taiwan Television, where he was a crucial part of the team during the channel's early days.

 

With a strong desire to become a journalist, Lhkatafatu enrolled in Taiwan Public Television's Aboriginal TV Talent Training Program, where he honed his skills and knowledge of the industry. His hard work paid off when he passed Taiwan Television's journalist audition and was given the opportunity to work in the news department at the central Taiwan location.

 

When Taiwan Television won the bid to set up Taiwan Indigenous Television, Lhkatafatu transferred back to the Taipei head office and joined the channel's preparation group. He dedicated himself fully to the task and played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the channel until it became independent. 

 

Throughout his career, Lhkatafatu has remained passionate about developing indigenous media in Taiwan. He has worked tirelessly to improve the representation and visibility of Taiwan's indigenous communities through the media, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed. He has risen through the ranks, from an entry-level journalist to the CEO of Indigenous Peoples Cultural Foundation.

 

As CEO, Lhkatafatu continues to make significant contributions to the media industry. He is committed to promoting the cultural heritage and traditions of Taiwan's indigenous communities through television and other forms of media. His dedication and perseverance have earned him a respected place in the industry and have made him an inspiration to many.

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Monika Ille is a proud member of the Abenaki First Nation of Odanak, and has made a lasting impact on the broadcasting industry over the course of her 30-year career. With a distinction in her graduation from the Université du Québec à Montréal, she began her journey in the industry by working for the Société Radio-Canada and then, for the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

 

While at the NFB, Monika played a crucial role in developing a new training program for Indigenous filmmakers, which led to her producing her first documentary, French Man, Native Son. Throughout her career, she has also worked with organisations such as Quebec Native Women in Montréal and the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa.

 

In 2003, Monika joined APTN as the Quebec liaison officer and quickly rose through the ranks to become the executive director of programming and scheduling. Her exceptional leadership and vision earned her the appointment as CEO of APTN on Dec. 16, 2019.

 

In addition to her role at APTN, Monika serves on the boards of the Université de Montréal and the Canadian Museum of Nature and is a council member of the Ordre de Montréal. She is also an industry adjudicator on the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council – Quebec Regional Panel. Monika has received numerous accolades, including being named one of Maison Saint-Gabriel’s Exceptional Women, the Desautels Management Achievement Award from McGill University, and completing the McGill-HEC Montréal Executive MBA programme. She was recently named Executive of the Year by Playback in late 2022.

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Jo Santamaria is a highly experienced professional with over 20 years of broadcasting expertise. She is of Italian descent from Monte Cassino and holds the role of Coordinator at the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network (WITBN).

 

Before her career in broadcasting, Jo honed her skills in international relations and business development through her work in tourism, establishing strong international business relationships and interacted with government officials. Her personal passion is the 28th Māori Battalion and she works with her husband, Dr. Reuben Collier, to lead tours to her homeland and commemorate the battalion's legacy.

 

Her extensive experience in production, marketing, budgeting, and team management is reflected in her diverse portfolio of work. Jo has contributed to a variety of productions including "The Amazing Race," award-winning documentaries like "Sciascia," and the "He Rau Aroha" series. Additionally, she has co-produced several programs for Whakaata Māori, TVNZ and SKY TV such as "Play School", "Kai Time On The Road” and live to air broadcasters, to name but a few.

 

She has a proven track record of successful negotiations with global companies, Jo is also dedicated to promoting the revitalization of Indigenous culture and language.  She is currently based in Rotorua, Aotearoa, New Zealand and continues to make a meaningful impact in her field.