2023 CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellow

by Tanner Isaac

Going to Winnipeg to work with the CBC Indigenous team has been amazing. My time at CBC has really opened my eyes up in terms of knowing what I want to do, which is entertainment news. It was never
my true intention to be involved in the journalism field, as it can be quite heavy at times. The wonderful CBC Indigenous team welcomed me with open arms and supported any story I wanted to do.

After some brainstorming, the team noticed I had a great idea for a story on Indigenous entertainers and their thoughts on representation in mainstream media. I believe we are seeing a rise in Indigenous entertainers, so I knew I had to speak with some of these up-and-coming creators. I created a minute-long reel for TikTok and YouTube. The team really enjoyed my camera presence and knowledge of social media, which ultimately landed me an extra five weeks to work with them.

I am truly grateful to have been given this opportunity. I’ve learned so much and found my confidence to continue pursuing this career. Before this fellowship, I was fresh out of college, trying to find my calling. Thanks to CJF and CBC Indigenous, I found it. I can see this opportunity become a great start for the future generation of Indigenous journalists.