JHR is excited to announce the first three fellows in the Growing Indigenous Storytellers Fellowship, a new initiative launched in partnership with the Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and APTN News, with support from the Google News Initiative. The program helps create more channels for Indigenous people to pursue careers in journalism in what is currently called Canada.
The six-month fellowship provides First Nations, Inuit, and Métis journalists with the chance to work at APTN News, the first national Indigenous broadcaster in the world. Fellows will have the opportunity to travel to Albuquerque to attend IJA’s 2025 Indigenous Media Conference and expand their networks. Guest speakers will also lead a series of workshops and lectures for the fellows and the broader journalism community.
Meet the fellows:
Angela Belleau, Montreal
Angela Belleau’s journey began in the field of conservation, where she collaborated with Indigenous communities including her own Garden River First Nation. Driven by a passion for the environment, health, and social justice, she’s excited to use her opportunity with APTN to blend her research expertise with storytelling that sparks transformative change and amplifies community voices.
Veronica Blackhawk, Winnipeg
Veronica Blackhawk is a 2-Spirit multidisciplinary artist from the Northwest Angle #33 First Nation in Ontario. They are a passionate community advocate, creating spaces and providing resources for other young marginalized creatives. They are currently on the board of the Manitoba-based Good + Plenty Producer’s Club and manage a musical project called Tinge.
Tyler Shingoose, Winnipeg
With a passion for storytelling, building community, and empowering youth and marginalized populations through various outlets, Tyler Shingoose aims to grow his skills as an authentic storyteller through journalism. As a former youth in care, he seeks to empower other youth who have faced various challenges to build resilience and embrace growth.
Stay tuned for updates on the fellows’ published work!
