Today, IndigiNews is launching our very first fundraising campaign. Over the next few weeks, we aim to achieve 500 monthly supporters. If you value our reporting, and you are able to support us, click here.
At the beginning of last year, IndigiNews was just a seed, an idea planted in the hearts and minds of a select few who wanted to see a different kind of media in Canada.
Over the course of a few months, conversations continued about what independent Indigenous-led media could look like. In May 2020, three reporters based in the Okanagan were hired. In August, four more were added across Vancouver Island. We have since changed and grown, but are now a team of full-time and part-time reporters and editors — community members, moms, partners, aunties, working multiple jobs and wearing many hats.
Some of us study law, or write plays, others juggle babies on our laps, learn their language at night or train in martial arts. But we share a vision for telling the truth, holding truth to power, representing Indigenous Peoples and cultures in their/our diversity, beauty and strength.
During a time when the world was experiencing a global pandemic, uncertainty, fear, IndigiNews was forming, training, and working hard to serve our two regions with stories that make you feel heard, understood and respected.
Stories like…
- Workers tackling anti-Indigenous racism say they faced scapegoating and ‘backlash’ at Island Health, published just last week.
- Our in-depth birth alert series investigating the controversial practice of social workers alerting hospitals of expectant parents they think may put their newborn at risk (revealing that the B.C. government attempted to hide information from the public).
- Award-winning photojournalism showcasing the power of Indigenous youth
- Our Indigenous reproductive health series exploring systemic barriers to health care and the resurgence of traditional birthing practices.
- Our community champions nominations uplifting the voices of Indigenous people making a difference.
- And much, much more.
Why are we asking for your support?
We’ve accomplished all of this thanks to a few short-term grants that are now up for renewal. We don’t know how those renewal applications will go. What we do know is that the future sustainability of IndigiNews will depend on you, our readers.
If we achieve our target of 500 monthly supporters, we can head into our grant renewals with the confidence and peace of mind that no matter what happens our readers have our back.
IndigiNews stories will always be free and accessible for those who are not able to make financial contributions. But if you are able to support us and you value independent Indigenous news, you can help keep our stories available to all — for the long run.
While we very much appreciate one-time contributions, the reason we are asking for ongoing, monthly support is for certainty. Stability. A strong foundation to continue our reporting with a predictable, steady budget.
So we can keep holding powerful institutions to account.
So we can keep amplifying the stories of Indigenous families who feel voiceless.
And so we can keep doing the hard work of decolonizing Canadian journalism.
To become a monthly supporter, click here.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
The IndigiNews Team
