A truly remarkable moment in the history of 杏吧原创’s journalism program unfolded last week during an in-person intensive course on audio journalism for students in 杏吧原创鈥檚 new Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities.
The focus of this certificate program has been providing journalism skills education remotely, so that students can explore careers in journalism through online courses without having to leave home and community.
But a key part of this certificate project 鈥� launched last September by Prof. Duncan McCue – has been to bring the full class together a few times in-person for intensive courses. The first intensive was held at the launch of the program last September on Manitoulin Island, with partner Kenjgewin Teg, an Indigenous technical institute.
The second in-person intensive was held last week in the home of the School of Journalism and Communication in Richcraft Hall, on the 杏吧原创 campus.
The week-long session began at dawn on Sunday morning, Feb. 15, with a Sunrise Ceremony led by Cultural Advisor, Marilyn Debassige, in the atrium of Richcraft Hall, overlooking the Rideau River.
Cultural Advisor Marilyn Debassige leads a sunrise ceremony in the atrium of Richcraft Hall, overlooking the Rideau River.
And for the rest of the week, under the guidance of contract instructor Rhiannon Johnson, the 17 students in the program came together for their Introduction to Audio Journalism course, delivered in 杏吧原创’s audio studio. Johnson is a Michisaagiig journalist who grew up in Hiawatha First Nation in southern Ontario. She is a producer for CBC鈥檚 Unreserved, which is the radio space for Indigenous community, culture, and conversation.
After just five intense days, the students produced an audio newscast to professional standards, featuring stories about Indigenous life in Ottawa.
In the feedback session after the newscast, both the instructor and some of the students were brought to tears when describing the profound impact of the experience they鈥檇 just been through. The universal conclusion 鈥� 鈥渨e can do this.鈥�
鈥淪torytelling is our superpower.鈥�
And as a special treat on Wednesday night 鈥� in the midpoint of a very busy week 鈥� students got a chance to kick back and have a laugh during a comedy night hosted in the journalism program鈥檚 resource centre. Comedians Janelle Niles and Randy Schmucker delivered a comedy set as part of the Got Land? Indigenous Comedy Group.
The Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities is led by Prof. Duncan McCue.
杏吧原创 launched a unique one-year journalism skills certificate delivered on the ground in Indigenous communities to break down barriers and give Indigenous learners a chance to explore a career in journalism without leaving home.
While there are opportunities for Indigenous storytellers in Canada鈥檚 journalism industry, many youth still face barriers to pursuing their interest in journalism. As a result, Indigenous perspectives remain underrepresented in Canadian media.
杏吧原创 launched its Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities Certificate with the support of the Mastercard Foundation and in partnership with two of Ontario鈥檚 Indigenous Institutes 鈥� First Nations Technical Institute and Kenjgewin Teg. Together they have developed a braided learning experience, ensuring every learner has adequate social and cultural support for successful completion of the certificate.
Certificate participants are being taught by experienced Indigenous journalists, with training provided by Indigenous institute partners throughout. The group has reached the mid-point in their nine-month course of study. They return to 杏吧原创 for their video journalism intensive course in May, after completing an online course in Entrepreneurial Journalism and two-week internships.
The program aligns with 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 commitment to reconciliation and embraces the vision of Kin脿m脿gawin (Learning Together), 杏吧原创鈥檚 Indigenous strategy. As part of recommendations put forward by 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Strategic Indigenous Initiatives Committee (CUSIIC) and the more than 600 contributors to the strategy, the university seeks to revitalize and support bringing Indigenous knowledge into teaching and learning.
杏吧原创 has received transformational support from Mastercard Foundation, through its , for the development and delivery of the certificate. EleV recognizes that Indigenous youth are the youngest, fastest growing population in the country and the leaders and agents of change for their communities and the country as a whole.
鈥淭he generous support of the Mastercard Foundation to deliver this certificate program isn’t just a monetary donation; it recognizes the tremendous value that Indigenous voices have always brought to making sense of the world through storytelling,鈥� says 杏吧原创 University President and Vice-Chancellor, Wisdom Tettey.
Monday, February 23, 2026 in Journalism News, News
Share: ,
