Listening to the “Emerging Voices”

Emerging Voices

by Khujesta Zabardast

Kyle Edwards

Like a lot of people, when Kyle Edwards finished high school in Winnipeg, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. So he went travelling, leaving his family on the Lake Manitoba Frist Nations Behind.

Being a Journalist seemed like a far away dream, but it was the one he was determined to pursue. he applied to Reyrson’s University Journalism program, He learned of his acceptance from the university’s Indigenous Student Association.

After graduating he launched into a career that has him now writing for Macleans.

He is one of the success stories highlighted at Journalists for Human Rights panel called “Emerging Voices” that was held recently at Ryerson.

 

The panel was discussing coverage of Indigenous issues by Canadian media, particularly in respect to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation report.  Section 86 deals directly with Journalism schools responsibilities to encourage Indigenous youth to pursue journalism as a career.

Duncan McCue, host of the CBC’s  “Cross Country Checkup” was also part of the “Emerging Voices” Panel.   He is Anishinaabe, a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario. According to the CBC website, “He was part of a CBC Aboriginal investigation into missing and murdered Indigenous women that won numerous honours including the Hillman Award for Investigative Journalism.”  He says Journalism schools need to put a greater focus on helping Indigenous students as well as teaching others about Indigenous issues.

 

Reaching out to the communities and not just colleges, but high schools as well to educate Indigenous youths is important, says Willow Fiddler, a video journalist with APTN.

McCue says there should be targeted funding, scholarships and bursaries for indigenous youth that can assure them they will have support if they want to study Journalism.  He added there should also be distance school and education offered in the communities, for the Indigenous people where they don’t have to leave their families to pursue an education.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*