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Photo by Julie Elizabeth Photography
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EF: What inspired you to write about Esk’etemc First Nation's settlement?
DP: I heard about the story while talking with people for another story. When the press release went out, I watched the video that went along with it. At the end when it thanked Elders who had worked on the case, it named my Kyé7e (grandmother), who was born and raised in Esk’et. So it was great to hear about and I was excited to share their victory.
EF: Were there any particular moments that were difficult to convey accurately?
DP: The energy in the room was difficult to convey. It was intense. Each song with the hand drum was so powerful. You could feel the victory in the room, as the community's efforts were celebrated.
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EF: Were there any moments during your reporting that stood out to you on a personal level?
DP: I brought my Kyé7e to the victory ceremony and she was among the Elders and leaders who were blanketed and celebrated in the
centre of the hall. It was beautiful to see the respect and care for the people who hold us up and took up the fight for the rights of the community.
EF: What was your process for distilling such a complex and lengthy legal battle into one article?
DP: It was a long process. I had to read all the reports to ensure I had everything correct. It took a lot of reworking and rewording to ensure it was clear for our audience.
EF: Are there other related stories or issues within the community that you plan to cover?
DP: The Kúkwpi7 (chief) told me there are plenty of other specific claims in the works so I’m excited to see how those pan out.
EF: What is your hope for the community?
DP: I hope people know how much is yet to come and that they have hope for the future. I wish them all the best as they fight for their rights.
Edited for length and clarity.
You can read the story here.
ᑲᐦᑭᔭᐤ ᓂᐚᐦᑰᒫᑲᓂᑎᐠ
kahkiyaw niwâhkômâkanitik
All my relations,
Aunty Eden
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