Paul Apak Angilirq was vice-president and co-founder of Isuma. Apak began his television career in 1978 as a trainee in the Inukshuk Project, Canada`s first government initiative to train indigenous TV producers in remote Aboriginal communities. When Inuit Broadcasting Corporation was created in 1981 Apak became one of IBC`s first producers. In 1992 IBC honoured Apak with a Special Recognition Award for his career contribution to the network as its most distinguished producer and first Inuk Trainer. Apak wrote the original story and Inuktitut screenplay for Atanarjuat based on interviews with local elders. He passed away from cancer in December 1998 before the film was completed.