Journalism students explore Indigenous stories
Photo: The increasing importance of Indigenous Elders on campuses was one of the many initiatives explored in the 鈥淚ndigenous Land, Urban Stories鈥� project. From left: Joanne Dallaire (Ryerson University), Andrew Wesley (University of Toronto), Amy Desjarlais (York University).
For many, Canada 150 is a dark reminder of how many of Canada鈥檚 stories have not been told. 鈥溾�� is a multimedia project by Asmaa Malik鈥檚 master鈥檚 of Journalism class that tells the stories of Indigenous people in Canada鈥檚 cities鈥攊ts artists, educators, artisans, parents, chefs and activists.
The project is the result of a partnership between the and 鈥檚 Indigenous Reporters Initiative. It was inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission鈥檚 call to action for journalism schools to educate students about the legacy of colonialism.
鈥淐anada 150 is definitely something that鈥檚 been very painful for Indigenous people, in that it really ignores the legacy of residential schools and genocide鈥攁n erasure of Indigenous people in Canada,鈥� said Asmaa Malik, journalism professor. 鈥淲e thought to look at cities in Canada, which are celebrated for multiculturalism and bringing together people from all places. We wanted to learn more about the identities of Indigenous people in cities.鈥�
The ambitious project sent students across Canada to report on a range of issues affecting Indigenous communities: the rise of in Toronto; the increasing importance of on university campuses; the importance of ; the nature of ; and .
The project was an opportunity for Ryerson鈥檚 journalism students鈥攎ostly non-Indigenous鈥攖o work with communities and issues outside their experiences. 鈥淲e use this phrase a lot in journalism: 鈥楪etting comfortable with being uncomfortable,鈥欌�� said Malik. 鈥淚t鈥檚 understanding that you鈥檙e not always going to be reporting on communities that you belong to, and in many cases you should be pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
鈥淭he distinction that we鈥檙e looking at is between being a storyteller and taking stories. You鈥檙e not going to take stories from Indigenous people, but rather find a way to amplify voices.
It鈥檚 not just with Indigenous stories: journalists have lots of complicated stories and have to build trust with all kinds of communities. This is really just one of those communities, and a way to sharpen those skills.鈥�
Photo: The Bear Clan Patrol, a group of Indigenous citizens who offer non-violent outreach in Winnipeg, is explored in the 鈥淚ndigenous Land, Urban Stories鈥� project.
Olivia Zollino, a master鈥檚 of Journalism candidate, reported on the rise of in Winnipeg who patrol areas hit by violence, enhancing safety through non-violent outreach. 鈥淚t was humbling and overwhelming鈥擨 was welcomed by the groups,鈥� said Zollino. 鈥淭he Bear Clan goes out five nights a week鈥攊t鈥檚 all volunteer-based鈥攁nd they all have different reasons. One man I spoke to has been in and out of jail for years and said he wanted to stop the cycle. Another woman who used to be homeless said it was her way of giving back鈥攕he knew what it was like, and didn鈥檛 want anyone else to be judged.鈥�
For Zollino, the project was truly collaborative. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want anyone to think I was speaking for them. I wanted to use my platform to share their voices.鈥�
To read all the stories, visit .
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This is one in a series of stories about Canada 150 at Ryerson. As our nation marks the 150th anniversary of confederacy, Ryerson University is curating events, activities and stories that speak to the Canadian experience from vantage points as diverse as our people.
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