Jaydon Flett was one of the first recipients of a JHR-sponsored internship for emerging indigenous reporters.
19-year-old Cree reporter Jaydon Flett may soon become a household name. She’s not only the most recent journalist to complete JHR’s Emerging Reporters internship at APTN, but she’s now their youngest full-time journalist on staff. And like many others before her who have achieved great things, she credits her success to hard work and determination.
“At first, I was discouraged when my story pitches got rejected, but then I began to be persistent,” she says. “I’d sell my idea and fight for it when I knew it was worth the time and effort. I proved that I could tell a story and put it together well, visually. I earned trust and, in turn, gained confidence in my work.”
And it didn’t take long before that trust and confidence paid off: even before her internship was over, producers were approaching her about staying on full-time, a qualified feat for any young reporter. Her tenacity also endeared herself to her colleagues, earning her the nickname “Trial-by-Fire” Jaydon.
“I’m still a fresh face here at APTN, but the director, producers, assignment editor, shooters, editors and everyone else have been greatly supportive and are always giving me tips and critiques to help me improve.” And while she’s certainly growing rapidly as an intrepid young journalist, she will always remember how it all began.
“Although I am now a reporter, I don’t want to forget that this all started with an amazing internship opportunity,” she says.
JHR is currently accepting applications for summer internships at APTN and Global News.