Kelsie Kilawna
Reporter, Okanagan
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I’m a Sqilxw (Syilx/Indigenous) woman who was born and raised in Inkumupulux (the head of Okanagan Lake). I am a storyteller, photographer and experienced listener. As a reporter, I have a passion for sharing stories that normalize our way of life so that future generations have a place to safely recognize self.
Kelsie’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.
Chehala Leonard
Reporter, Okanagan
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I am of Nehiyaw (Cree), Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and European descent. I am from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, and grew up in Grande Cache, Alberta. Prior to joining this team, I worked as a producer for six years. My passion is to tell stories, but more importantly, to give space to others whose stories need to be told.
Chehala’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.
Athena Bonneau
Education Reporter, Okanagan
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My ancestry includes Okanagan Syilx and Northern Cree. I was born and raised on the unceded territory of the Penticton Indian Reserve. My journalism experience includes working as the Indigenous correspondent for Global Okanagan. I am passionate about representing Indigenous Peoples in today’s world, while respecting and acknowledging history, following traditional protocol, and producing truthful work with integrity as an Indigenous woman.
Athena’s work is supported in part with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative in partnership with The Discourse and APTN.
Lindsay Sample
Editor
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I am the executive editor of The Discourse and part of a team working together to create IndigiNews. I’m based in Vancouver on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh. Throughout my eight-year journalism career, I have been working to build a more equitable and sustainable media ecosystem — something I remain committed to as I train, support and edit with IndigiNews. As a journalist and a settler, I am working to decolonize my journalism practice.
Emilee Gilpin
Advisor
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I call myself a Michif nomad. I’m of Cree-Métis, Filipina, and settler descent, currently living and working in the northeast of Brazil. I led the National Observer’s First Nations Forward series for two years before taking on my current role as the series’ managing director. I am contributing to IndigiNews as an advisor who is passionate about decolonizing journalism and supporting anti-oppressive media.
Erin Millar
Partnerships and funding lead
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I am the founder and CEO of The Discourse. I grew up in the Okanagan Valley near the unceded territory of the Penticton Indian Reserve. I now live in East Vancouver on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ / sel̓íl̓witulh territory. In 2015, I made a commitment to reconciling journalism in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action for media. I am honoured to advance that work by supporting the partnerships and funding needed to establish IndigiNews as a crucial independent Indigenous voice.