TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2021 – Today, Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) is pleased to announce the call for submissions to the 2nd Annual Award for Outstanding Work by an Indigenous Youth Reporter. The award is supported by the RBC Foundation as part of RBC Future Launch, the bank’s 10-year, $500-million commitment to preparing Canadian youth for the jobs of tomorrow.

“Journalists for Human Rights values the importance of highlighting Indigenous voices in media, through our work engaging Indigenous communities and creating pathways of opportunities for Indigenous peoples to pursue careers in journalism,” says Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights. “Through this award, we are delighted to once again provide an opportunity for all young emerging Indigenous journalists to be recognized for their unique contributions.”

“Empowering young people to stay future ready starts with coming together — to share stories, advice, ideas, and to learn from each other,” says Mark Beckles, Vice President, Social Impact and Innovation, RBC. “Recognizing their achievements and progress through The Award for Outstanding Work by an Indigenous Youth Reporter is just one of the ways RBC and Journalists for Human Rights are helping young people stay future focused.”

The award seeks to recognize a piece of outstanding journalism created by a First Nations, Métis or Inuit journalist or team of journalists between the ages of 15 and 29 years old that was published or broadcast in any format, on any medium, in Canada, at any point in the 2020 calendar year.

Individual pieces or a series on any topic may be submitted. An individual reporter or a team of reporters may apply. Individuals may also nominate an outstanding youth in their community.

The winner(s) will receive a $2,000 cash prize, to be split in the event that a team of reporters wins, and be recognized for the accomplishment at the next Journalists for Human Rights Gala, to be held when it is safe to do so. The piece (when possible) will be distributed to all guests.

The winning submission will be determined by March 2021 by a panel of three distinguished Indigenous judges: Karyn Pugliese, Ryan McMahon, and Tanya Talaga. Karyn Pugliese, also known as Pabàmàdiz, is a citizen of the Algonquins of  Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, is a columnist for the National Observer, a Professor of Journalism at Ryerson, Nieman Fellow and former Executive Director of News and Current Affairs at APTN. Ryan McMahon is an Anishinaabe creative and the creator, writer, and host of Red Man Laughing podcast and the Thunder Bay podcast, which was named to ‘Best of 2018’ lists with The Globe and Mail, CBC Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Canada, New York Magazine, Vulture Magazine, and The Atlantic. Tanya Talaga is an Anishinaabe journalist and story teller. A columnist for The Globe and Mail, she is the former CBC Massey lecturer, and, author of two national bestsellers, Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City and All Our Relations: Finding the Path Forward.

How to Apply

If you are nominating yourself/your team:

To apply, please submit an application to [email protected] by Sunday, February 28, 2021, with ‘Indigenous Youth Reporter Award’ in the subject line. To be considered complete, your application must include:

  • A copy of the story or series in either print or digital format.
  • The name(s) of the youth who worked on the story.
  • A one-page write up (maximum) that contains information on:
    • A little bit about the individual/the team submitting.
    • Why you were interested in covering the story.
    • The response (if any) from relevant groups/people once the story was produced.

If you are nominating someone else:

Please email [email protected] by Sunday, February 28, 2021 with ‘Indigenous Youth Reporter Award’ in the subject line. To be considered complete, your email must include:

  • A copy of the story or series in either print or digital format.
  • The name(s) of youth who worked on the story.
  • A brief explanation including:
    • How you know the youth/team of young people.
    • Why you are nominating the youth/team of young people.
    • The response (if any) from relevant groups/people once the story was produced.
  • Please note the youth will be contacted to be considered for the award if shortlisted.

 

About Journalists for Human Rights

Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) trains journalists worldwide to cover human rights issues ethically and objectively. For 19 years, Canada-based JHR has worked with 17,400+ journalists around the world. Currently JHR operates sector-wide programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Mali, Kenya, and with Canada’s Indigenous communities. For more information, please visit www.jhr.ca .

 

For more information:

Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director Journalists for Human Rights

147 Spadina Avenue #206, Toronto ON MFV 2L7, 416 413 0240 x206 

 

Related Links

www.jhr.ca