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tΓ’nisi cuzzins,
We've had a busy couple of weeks at IndigiNews. A new intern from BCIT, Jocelyn Shepel, has joined us and is getting settled in for her four-week stay. Keep an eye out for a newsletter from her in the coming weeks!
Last night, the team gathered virtually to watch the Canadian Online Publishing Awards. Aaron Hemens and Cara McKenna were both finalists in their categories, so we tuned in with excitement and anticipation.Β
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The family of Caitlin Potts, a Samson Cree First Nation mother whoβs been missing since 2016, stands outside Orchard Park Mall in syilx homelands on July 13. The Kelowna mall was one of the last locations Caitlin was seen before she went missing more than seven years ago. From left to right: Caitlinβs uncle, AP; her brother, Jeremiah Potts; her mother, Priscilla Potts; and her son, Shane Potts. Photo by Aaron Hemens
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Aaron Hemens cleaned up! 🧹 He won gold in two categories and silver in another. We're proud of the work he does. It's a privilege to work with such a kind, caring and talented journalist.
The story that won two of the awards β Best Photo Journalism and Best Local Community News β is Seven years after her disappearance, family of Caitlin Potts reignites calls for justice. Aaron did the reporting and photography for this powerful and important story.
It's tough celebrating an award when the subject matter is so painful. Caitlin went missing in 2016 and her body has never been found. Her uncle, mother, brother and son are all featured in Aaron's story.
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Shane Potts, the son of Caitlin, paints a red-handprint over his mouth to show solidarity for his missing mother, during a vigil in her honour that was hosted in Enderby on the Bawtree Bridge in SecwΓ©pemc homelands on July 13. Photo by Aaron Hemens
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Aaron told me last night that he's glad this story is getting recognized again. I am too. It's important that people don't forget about Caitlin and her family.
I've included some of Aaron's photographs in this week's newsletter so you can see how beautiful they are. The feature photo, the one at the top, is one of my favourites. I love how strong, beautiful and united the family looks.
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Nicole (Schellenberg) Kruger and Tyrone Kruger, centre, at their wedding ceremony during the Four Seasons Cultural Societyβs 2023 Powwow Between the Lakes at the South Okanagan Events Centre in snpinkβtn (Penticton) in syilx homelands on June 24. Photo by Aaron Hemens
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And Aaron's wins didn't stop there. He also won silver for best feel good story for Married at the
powwow, for which he also did both the reporting and the photography. Feel-good stories are a reminder to us that, in spite of the pain, there is love and beauty and fun in life. Many of us have lost family members and sometimes there is pain, but there is joy and celebration too. We can hold it all.
kinΓ’nskomitinaw (I am grateful for all of you),
Aunty Eden
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Eden Fineday is a nehiyaw iskwew (Cree woman) and the publisher of IndigiNews. She is a also a mom, a writer and a student of nehiyawewin. She lives with gratitude as an uninvited guest on the unceded territories of the xwmΙΞΈkwΙyΜ Ιm (Musqueam), sΙlΜ ΓlwΙtaΚΙ¬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and SkwxwΓΊ7mesh (Squamish) Peoples and on her traditional territories in Treaty six.Β
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