IndigiNews Okanagan nominated for two Canadian Online Publishing Awards

Our photojournalism and ongoing story coverage are being recognized.

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At the beginning of 2020, IndigiNews didn’t exist. Now, after just eight-months working on covering community stories, we’ve been nominated for two Canadian Online Publishing Awards (COPA). 

Okanagan-based reporter Kelsie Kilawna has been nominated for Best Photojournalism and Best Continued News Coverage of a Story. 

The Okanagan team, which also includes reporters Chehala Leonard and Athena Bonneau, was also recently nominated for a Jack Webster Award for Best Community Reporting.

“I’m totally taken aback and honoured,” says Kilawna. “Being nominated for work that is centred on lifting up community members reminds me that I’m doing this work for the right reasons.”

Reporters Chehala Leonard (left), Athena Bonneau (centre), and Kelsie Kilawna (right). Photo by Lauren Marchand

Representation matters

When we set out to start IndigiNews in the Okanagan, we heard from Syilx (Okanagan) people over and over, that they didn’t feel reflected in the local media coverage. Folks wanted to see stories that went beyond breaking, and often negative, news. 

The team has been working hard for more accurate, diverse, and holistic representation ever since. 

Since April, Kilawna has been working on an ongoing series of stories about cultural resurgence and healing that is driven by beautiful photojournalism. You can read some of these stories here: 

“It’s important to see yourself reflected in a good way,” Kilawna says.

“It has so much to do with our mental health and our narrative, especially for youth. A lot of young people grew up not seeing ourselves anywhere, so I think seeing it is so powerful.” 

Intergenerational Trauma
Danielle Saddleman and Shane Miller OKIB business owners are reclaiming their family and hope to see more people choose the same path. Photo by Kelsie Kilawna

For best community news coverage, our Jack Webster nominated stories include:

Continued news coverage

When Tupas Joint, an Indigenous-owned and operated cannabis dispensary, was raided back in May 2020, and then a second time, and then when it grew in popularity as a result, Kelsie Kilawna was there to cover it.

Tupas Joint is a sovereign shop that puts to work the implementation of United Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The shop received its first license under the Okanagan Indian Band’s new cannabis control law in September.

Indiginews copa award nominations
Tupa’s Joint owner Cory Brewer shows off some product at the store in Vernon, B.C. Photo by Kelsie Kilawna

Until now, Indigenous sovereignty has been widely misunderstood or misrepresented, and the coverage of the raids and resulting actions brought some contextual clarity to the issue. It opened avenues for further conversations on the topics of Indigenous rights and self-determination.

“Knowing what sovereignty is important in maintaining and upholding our inherent laws and responsibilities,” says Kilawna.

As we near the end of a challenging year, Kilawna, Leonard and Bonneau are continuing to tell stories that dig into complexity, uplift community and shift narratives. You can follow their work here.

Author

Lindsay Sample

Emilee Gilpin

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.

Eden Fineday

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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