The authors of a new report that is supported by numerous top-level screen entertainment organizations recommend that more be done to expand Aboriginal-produced screen content.

The report prepared by Maria De Rosa, president of Communications MDR and associate Marilyn Burgess, examined the state of Aboriginal television, interactive and feature film production in Canada and measured production activity from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012. Among other things, they found that during that period, the sector created over 3,300 full-time jobs and generated revenues from productions of approximately $173 million.

They found that the industry sub-sector is on a strong growth trajectory, saying “Aboriginal language programs in Canadian schools, the rising popularity of Aboriginal studies in North American colleges and universities, spotlights on indigenous films at key international film festivals, and growing awareness and appreciation for Aboriginal television programs are fuelling demand for more Aboriginal content in a variety of networks.”

The study’s recommendations include the development of an audiovisual policy for Aboriginal screen-based production, new incentives to increase access by First Nations, Metis and Inuit producers to Canadian broadcasters, increased funding for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), greater funding of feature film production, and new measures to increase digital media production capacity, international co-production and industry skills development.

The report also points to the need for further research on the international distribution and sales of Aboriginal productions.

Earlier this year APTN, as part of an application to renew its license, asked the CRTC for changes to its conditions of license, as well as for its monthly wholesale rate per subscriber fee to rise to 40 cents from 25 cents.

Indeed, APTN has been busy on the production front in recent months, greenlighting pilots, new series and new seasons of existing seasons as well as partnering in industry-training programs.

As network CEO Jean Larose told Playback last year, half of Canada’s Aboriginal population is under the age of 25. According to the 2011 census, 1.4 million people in Canada self-identify themselves as aboriginal in the Statistics Canada survey.

The report was supported by APTN, the Canada Media Fund, the National Film Board, the Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund, Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the National Screen Institute. It is available here.