Introducing our 2026 ReFocus photojournalism fellows

IndigiNews is proud to announce the cohort of Indigenous photojournalists who have been selected to take part in our first ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship this month in Mi’kma’ki (Halifax).

This fellowship was created as a new annual opportunity for emerging professionals to learn and hone their craft — with the larger goal to increase the number of Indigenous photojournalists in “Canada.”

When IndigiNews first announced this opportunity, we were blown away at the interest we received. Our first cohort represents a mix of ages, experience levels and backgrounds, with a focus on photojournalists with connections to Mi’kma’ki, where the fellowship is being hosted this year. 

The nine fellows — including three IndigiNews reporters — will participate in an all-expenses paid, on-campus program during the week of May 18. We are excited to update our readers as the week goes on! 

In the meantime, meet our first 2026 cohort of Refocus photojournalism fellows:

Brittany Boschman

Brittany Boschman is from Pimicikamak Cree Nation and is a reporter for IndigiNews. She is currently based near Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan.

“My photography journey really took off at the First Nations University of Canada,” she says about learning photojournalism. Her instructors there “inspired me in ways I never expected, helping me recognize my potential and igniting my passion for journalism, photography, and video.”

Susy Denny

Susy Denny is from the Mi’kmaw Nation and lives in Unama’ki in Mi’kma’ki. She is passionate about photography as a way “to capture the moment of time and something to look back on” and finds inspiration from her loved ones and the environment. She is also dedicated to language revitalization and linguistics. 

Crystal Greene

Crystal Greene is Anishinaabe and Cree, and works as a reporter for IndigiNews based in Winnipeg. She is excited to learn new visual storytelling skills and “would like to become more comfortable working with all the settings in a still camera, so that it becomes second nature.”

“Being an online reporter who is more focused on note-taking and interviewing, I often do more simple point-and-shoot photography,” she says.

“I would like to take award-winning still photos when I am out-in-the-field reporting at a critical moment.”

Tamara Joseph

Tamara Joseph is from Elsipogtog First Nation and works in marine biology — but has a growing passion for photography, in particular when it comes to capturing sports. 

“I’m drawn to the moments between players before, during, and after a game when they forget there’s an audience and their true emotions come through,” she says.

“It might be a quiet exchange before they start, a look of determination mid-play, or the mix of relief or pride after the final game. These unscripted moments reveal connection, vulnerability, and authenticity, something that posing for photos just can’t capture.”

Ron Kocsis

Ron Kocsis is a documentary photographer from St. Mary’s First Nation who brings a wealth of experience he hopes to build on through this fellowship. His practice bridges editorial storytelling with fine arts.

“My photographic vision has been shaped by life experience,” he shares. 

“I have been drawn to the humanism of Larry Burrows and Robert Capa, alongside the emotional and psychological depth found in the paintings of Francis Bacon and Mark Rothko.”

Kayla Lambert-Macdonald

Kayla Lambert-Macdonald is a Mi’kmaw photographer and mother of four. Her photography is inspired by family, everyday life, and candid moments — with a vision to create images that reflect real connection.

“My photography is shaped by my children and the life we live together,” she reflects.

“They’ve taught me to notice real moments as they happen—moments you don’t get back. My approach comes from watching, listening, and capturing what feels honest.”

Daniel Opasinis

Daniel Opasinis descends from the Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation), and was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area. Daniel is an editor at The Eyeopener, an independent school newspaper at Toronto Metropolitan University and is inspired by photographers and photo editors he’s worked with in the industry.

“Nick Lachance at the Toronto Star tells amazing visual stories and does really cool outdoor flash work. Also, every photo editor I’ve worked with at The Eye has inspired me in some way.”

Dionne Phillips

Dionne Phillips is Secwépemc on her father’s side and has Nuxalk and Cree roots on her mother’s side. She is a reporter with IndigiNews, and is excited to use the photography knowledge she learns to tell stories from Secwepemcúl’ecw and beyond. She is inspired by “trying to find interesting viewpoints of the world around me.”

Jaiden Stevens

Jaiden Stevens is from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and is based in the Northwest Territories. He works with local organizations to tell photo and video stories, and he is currently studying journalism at Carleton University.

“My photography has been influenced by both hands-on experience and mentorship,” he said.

“Those experiences pushed me to focus less on just getting a shot and more on what the image is actually communicating.”

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For more information about the 2026 IndigiNews: ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship, visit: www.refocusfellowship.ca.