Carleton University's Indigenous journalism program welcomes first Inuit students

Alanna Dean didn't realize journalism was an option until she found Carleton University's Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities.

She decided to enroll because she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and try something different.

"I really like the idea of storytelling, writing and being in the media," she said. "I thought this would be a fun opportunity."

The nine-month program teaches Indigenous students the fundamentals of reporting. This is its second year, and the first time it has Inuit students.

"I'm very pleased that we have our first two Inuit students this year and that's really important to us to be able to reach the North," said Duncan McCue, the program's director.

Students learning at home in communities

McCue said one of the best part of the certificate is that classes are hybrid and students can join in from their communities.

"It's a great program for northern residents who want journalism skills, but want to stay at home," he said "We know that there are so many Indigenous students who absolutely want to become media storytellers, but they don't want to come to the cities."

Dean is from Iqaluit, but now lives in Ottawa, while Emerald Hatkaittuq is doing the certificate from her home community of Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.

Alanna Dean and Emerald Hatkaittuq during the program's first intensive workshop on Manitoulin Island in September. (Cedar Grace Photography)

McCue created the program to get more Indigenous storytellers into the media. Students are also taught by Indigenous faculty.

The program is setup to have classes online twice a week and three "intensives" workshops where the entire cohort comes together for a week to learn skills in person.

The first intensive happened last month on Manitoulin Island, and Hatkaittuq said it was a wonderful experience.

"We shared a lot of personal stories," she said. "It was so much fun and I met so many nice people through the program, and in Manitoulin the people there are really nice and welcoming."

Hatkaittuq first heard about the certificate after participating in the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation's Tigulavut's program this summer. That's where she met McCue.

"He pushed me to complete my application and he's pretty much the reason why I'm taking this program now," she said.

Emerald Hatkaittuq said she enjoyed the activities at the first intensive on Manitoulin Island. (Cedar Grace Photography)

Hatkaittuq said she decided to enroll in the certificate to improve her writing skills. She also hopes to make short documentaries in the future.

Dean said she wants focus on writing and photography, adding that she's inspired by others in her cohort.

"Everyone is so eager to do journalism," she said. "Personally, I was so shy to get into this, but I feel so motivated now to just do interviews and be in the media now."