We’re featuring Indigenous water stories
IndigiNews is launching a series of stories around protecting oceans, lakes, rivers and more
Water is not only all around us, but part of us — whether we live along the ocean, near the lake or beside a river, it’s a sacred part of who we are and how we nourish ourselves and our communities.
Indigenous people have been stewarding these waterways since time out of mind, however when we hear about water in the news, it often excludes these perspectives — or minimizes them in favour of colonial science.
This is why, in 2023, IndigiNews will be featuring Indigenous water stories from our coverage areas in so-called “B.C.” Last year, we received a grant from the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation that allowed us to start this work. We sent reporter Aaron Hemens to write extensively about the nk’mip (Osoyoos Lake) Water Forum in October (he published three stories: here, here and here), and focused on featuring other stories involving water including this one about the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River), and this one about herring conservation in the heart of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh homelands.
But we’ve only just started this important work, and we’re looking to deepen it. From first-person stories about the significance of certain water-based places, to investigative reporting, to photography, we are currently looking to commission water stories from storytellers of all kinds located in “B.C.,” and are also accepting tips and ideas for our journalists to pursue.
In the face of a climate crisis and other threats to the environment, we can’t think of a better time to feature and uplift Indigenous perspectives and knowledge on this life-giving resource.
Author
We live in a media ecosystem that thrives on misinformation. Big Tech and AI companies are consuming the work of real human beings and Canadian news has been banned on Facebook and Instagram.
And yet, I have hope for journalism because of the work we’re doing at IndigiNews.
At IndigiNews, we embody tâpwêwin — the Cree value of integrity and responsibility in truth-telling. We are committed to our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom rooted in community, accountability, and relationality. We believe storytelling is a sacred fire that connects our pasts, presents, and futures through the storytellers in our Storytelling Lodge. IndigiNews creates space for Indigenous journalists, storytellers, Knowledge Keepers, and communities to gather, learn, and share stories that matter.
As a registered charity, we are building a fire that allows our work not just to ignite but to thrive. Rather than relying on advertising or corporate acquisition, IndigiNews is sustained by people like you who believe Indigenous stories are important for the future of our communities.
Your support is making a real difference.
Our community of supporters, our Firekeepers, make it possible to grow our newsroom, publish award-winning journalism, train emerging Indigenous journalists through initiatives like the ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship, and publish trustworthy stories that serve our communities across the country. Every story we publish helps fill in gaps left by mainstream media and ensures Indigenous perspectives are represented with care, accuracy and respect.
But there is still more work to do.
As the media landscape becomes more and more uncertain, community support is as necessary and essential as it’s ever been. Every new Firekeeper helps protect the independence of our newsroom and strengthens journalism that is accountable to our many and varied communities over corporations.
That’s why we’re inviting you to become a Firekeeper.
Firekeepers tend to and protect the sacred fire. Your monthly contributions directly support IndigiNews’s Storytelling Lodge, helps sustain our independent, Indigenous-led newsroom, and ensures future generations of Indigenous storytellers have the resources they need to do the work.
As a registered Canadian charity, all eligible donations receive a charitable tax receipt.
If you believe Indigenous stories matter, if you value independent journalism, and if you want to help build a strong future for Indigenous media, we invite you to join our circle of Firekeepers today.
Together, we can keep the fire burning.
— Eden Fineday, Publisher, IndigiNews
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