Cara McKenna
@caramck.bsky.social
editor @ IndigiNews | journalism in the Guardian, the Globe and Mail, APTN, CP/AP etc. | based in amiskwaciywâskahikan
Reposted by Cara McKenna
It hasn’t been an easy journey for the Gitxsan community of Gitanmaax to take power back from colonial child ‘welfare’ agencies — but the newly launched Wila Dildilsdi’m is counting every small victory.
First in a three-part series by Amy Romer.
indiginews.com/features/git...
First in a three-part series by Amy Romer.
indiginews.com/features/git...
In Gitanmaax, new family services department is fighting to protect children
It hasn’t been an easy journey to take power back from colonial child ‘welfare’ agencies — but the newly launched Wila Dildilsdi’m is counting every small victory
indiginews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
It hasn’t been an easy journey for the Gitxsan community of Gitanmaax to take power back from colonial child ‘welfare’ agencies — but the newly launched Wila Dildilsdi’m is counting every small victory.
First in a three-part series by Amy Romer.
indiginews.com/features/git...
First in a three-part series by Amy Romer.
indiginews.com/features/git...
❤️
WINNER! – Excellence in Community Reporting
Presented by the Al Roadburg Foundation
Congratulations to Mike Graeme of IndigiNews for “How a colonial line shapes Tlingit lands — and my ancestor’s role in it”.
🔗 bit.ly/4omvUpt
#WebsterAwards
Presented by the Al Roadburg Foundation
Congratulations to Mike Graeme of IndigiNews for “How a colonial line shapes Tlingit lands — and my ancestor’s role in it”.
🔗 bit.ly/4omvUpt
#WebsterAwards
‘Not our border’: How a colonial line shapes Tlingit lands — and my own ancestor’s role in it
A canoe trip across the ‘U.S.-Canada’ boundary reminds Mike Graeme of colonialism’s legacy — as he follows the path of his surveyor great-great-uncle
bit.ly
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
❤️
I love this piece by @amyromer.bsky.social, which documents a Squamish Youth bike trip around their territories.
“The kids visit their relatives and receive teachings and guidance from them along the way.”
“The kids visit their relatives and receive teachings and guidance from them along the way.”
The sound of bike tires crunched over gravel as a group of children and Youth set off toward Wíwḵ’em village in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh — their first stop on an annual Rez Ride.
Story by Amy Romer 🚲
indiginews.com/sports/skwxw...
Story by Amy Romer 🚲
indiginews.com/sports/skwxw...
October 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I love this piece by @amyromer.bsky.social, which documents a Squamish Youth bike trip around their territories.
“The kids visit their relatives and receive teachings and guidance from them along the way.”
“The kids visit their relatives and receive teachings and guidance from them along the way.”
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Police have confirmed that Achakapis (Samuel Bird) is presumed dead — and identified a specific area outside “Edmonton” where the body is believed to be.
"His soul cannot rest while his body is kept from the land and our family."
indiginews.com/news/police-...
"His soul cannot rest while his body is kept from the land and our family."
indiginews.com/news/police-...
‘He was full of spirit, promise and love’: Police confirm Samuel Bird is presumed dead as search area narrows
The 14 year old, whose spirit name is Achakapis, is believed to have been left ‘no more than 150 km’ from ‘Edmonton’ on land, as investigators reveal specified area for search
indiginews.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Police have confirmed that Achakapis (Samuel Bird) is presumed dead — and identified a specific area outside “Edmonton” where the body is believed to be.
"His soul cannot rest while his body is kept from the land and our family."
indiginews.com/news/police-...
"His soul cannot rest while his body is kept from the land and our family."
indiginews.com/news/police-...
proud to be part of this amazing group of CAJ mentors! Apply below if you want to learn about editing from me, an old news curmudgeon trapped in a 35 year old’s body.
How does an expert journalist find stories? Avoid lawsuits? Meet sources? If you're just starting your journalism career and want to learn from someone who has found some of answers the hard way, apply to the CAJ's mentorship program. Deadline to apply is Oct 8
Apply today: caj.ca/mentorship
Apply today: caj.ca/mentorship
October 3, 2025 at 12:57 AM
proud to be part of this amazing group of CAJ mentors! Apply below if you want to learn about editing from me, an old news curmudgeon trapped in a 35 year old’s body.
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Thirty new homes being built at a former Tla’amin village represent a homecoming for the nation, after a long journey to regain the site.
"Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river. It’s very special for us to go back home to the same spot.”
indiginews.com/news/new-hou...
"Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river. It’s very special for us to go back home to the same spot.”
indiginews.com/news/new-hou...
New housing project at tiskʷat represents homecoming for Tla'amin Nation
'Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river,' says public works director. 'It's very special for us to go back home to the same spot'
indiginews.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Thirty new homes being built at a former Tla’amin village represent a homecoming for the nation, after a long journey to regain the site.
"Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river. It’s very special for us to go back home to the same spot.”
indiginews.com/news/new-hou...
"Our ancestors used to build their houses right along the same river. It’s very special for us to go back home to the same spot.”
indiginews.com/news/new-hou...
With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years
As the 9,000-member nation celebrates what's potentially 'a Pandora’s box decision' — others worry about its implications
Great reporting from @davidpball.bsky.social 👇
indiginews.com/news/quwutsu...
As the 9,000-member nation celebrates what's potentially 'a Pandora’s box decision' — others worry about its implications
Great reporting from @davidpball.bsky.social 👇
indiginews.com/news/quwutsu...
With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years
After landmark ruling grants ‘Vancouver Island’ First Nations title to Tl'uqtinus summer village and nearby fishing rights, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm see it as a ‘disheartening’ betrayal
indiginews.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:40 PM
With court win, Quw’utsun Nation sees a ‘spiritual homecoming’ after 150 years
As the 9,000-member nation celebrates what's potentially 'a Pandora’s box decision' — others worry about its implications
Great reporting from @davidpball.bsky.social 👇
indiginews.com/news/quwutsu...
As the 9,000-member nation celebrates what's potentially 'a Pandora’s box decision' — others worry about its implications
Great reporting from @davidpball.bsky.social 👇
indiginews.com/news/quwutsu...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
At Penticton Indian Band, researchers work to find remedy for bighorn sheep disease
The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it
indiginews.com/news/pib-res...
The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it
indiginews.com/news/pib-res...
At Penticton Indian Band, researchers work to find remedy for bighorn sheep disease
The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it
indiginews.com
August 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM
At Penticton Indian Band, researchers work to find remedy for bighorn sheep disease
The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it
indiginews.com/news/pib-res...
The Okanagan population of yilíkʷlxkn has been depleted by up to 70 per cent by mange over two decades — a year-long project aims to find a drug to treat it
indiginews.com/news/pib-res...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Mount Polley will be allowed to continue expanding its tailings facility, after a court challenge by the Xatśūll First Nation failed.
The nation said it's reviewing the decision to allow the dam, which failed catastrophically in 2014, to hold more mine waste. @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...
The nation said it's reviewing the decision to allow the dam, which failed catastrophically in 2014, to hold more mine waste. @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...
Mount Polley Can Continue Tailings Expansion, BC Supreme Court Says | The Tyee
Xatśūll First Nation had applied to stop construction on the project.
thetyee.ca
August 6, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Mount Polley will be allowed to continue expanding its tailings facility, after a court challenge by the Xatśūll First Nation failed.
The nation said it's reviewing the decision to allow the dam, which failed catastrophically in 2014, to hold more mine waste. @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...
The nation said it's reviewing the decision to allow the dam, which failed catastrophically in 2014, to hold more mine waste. @thetyee.ca
thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
love when a paywall sounds like it’s drawing a gun on you
July 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
love when a paywall sounds like it’s drawing a gun on you
the worst person you know is like: "I just speak my mind and tell it how it is with no filter"
July 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
the worst person you know is like: "I just speak my mind and tell it how it is with no filter"
Reposted by Cara McKenna
‘Truly amazing and really emotional’: Historic mortuary poles returned to Tla’amin Nation after decades-long search
The nation celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation for the community
indiginews.com/arts/histori...
The nation celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation for the community
indiginews.com/arts/histori...
Historic mortuary poles returned to Tla’amin Nation after decades-long search
The community celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation
indiginews.com
July 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
‘Truly amazing and really emotional’: Historic mortuary poles returned to Tla’amin Nation after decades-long search
The nation celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation for the community
indiginews.com/arts/histori...
The nation celebrated the repatriation during the opening of a new cultural centre, part of a wider reclamation for the community
indiginews.com/arts/histori...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
For this collaboration with @indiginews.bsky.social, reporter @ainsliecruickshank.bsky.social went to Kelowna to find out if it’s possible to prioritize housing — and also protect sensitive ecosystems thenarwhal.ca/bc-housing-a...
Can Kelowna build housing and leave room for nature? | The Narwhal
Kelowna hopes to increase housing density, instead of sprawl, while a proposed Okanagan wildlife corridor seeks to conserve rare ecosystems
thenarwhal.ca
July 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
For this collaboration with @indiginews.bsky.social, reporter @ainsliecruickshank.bsky.social went to Kelowna to find out if it’s possible to prioritize housing — and also protect sensitive ecosystems thenarwhal.ca/bc-housing-a...
So happy to see Aaron recognized for his crucial work on this series — you can read the stories here:
Part 1: indiginews.com/news/similka...
Part 2: indiginews.com/news/concern...
Part 3: indiginews.com/news/in-simi...
Part 1: indiginews.com/news/similka...
Part 2: indiginews.com/news/concern...
Part 3: indiginews.com/news/in-simi...
June 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
So happy to see Aaron recognized for his crucial work on this series — you can read the stories here:
Part 1: indiginews.com/news/similka...
Part 2: indiginews.com/news/concern...
Part 3: indiginews.com/news/in-simi...
Part 1: indiginews.com/news/similka...
Part 2: indiginews.com/news/concern...
Part 3: indiginews.com/news/in-simi...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Congratulations to the wonderful Crystal Greene, who just won the silver Emerging Indigenous Journalist award from @jhrnews and @caj for her portfolio of work.
Congratulations, Crystal!!
Congratulations, Crystal!!
🏆Congratulations to @crystalgreene.bsky.social for winning the Silver JHR + CAJ Award for Emerging Indigenous Journalist!
🏆Félicitations à Crystal Greene pour avoir remporté le Prix JHR +ACJ argent pour Journaliste Autochtone Émergent(e)!
🏆Félicitations à Crystal Greene pour avoir remporté le Prix JHR +ACJ argent pour Journaliste Autochtone Émergent(e)!
June 1, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Congratulations to the wonderful Crystal Greene, who just won the silver Emerging Indigenous Journalist award from @jhrnews and @caj for her portfolio of work.
Congratulations, Crystal!!
Congratulations, Crystal!!
Reposted by Cara McKenna
At the #CAJawards with friends from IndigiNews, The Rover and Press Progress! Good luck to all the nominees!
June 1, 2025 at 12:23 AM
At the #CAJawards with friends from IndigiNews, The Rover and Press Progress! Good luck to all the nominees!
Exclusionary rules aside — the fact that CJC is distributing funds to news outlets based on how much they spent employing staff in past years will reinforce powerful legacy institutions while keeping the ones without resources in scarcity. It isn't equitable.
#NEW: This month, 100+ publications got their share of $100 million from Google.
Most that applied for funds have been approved. But Indigenous-led online publication, @indiginews.bsky.social was denied.
A breakdown of the details, in my first for @jsource.bsky.social
j-source.ca/first-batch-...
Most that applied for funds have been approved. But Indigenous-led online publication, @indiginews.bsky.social was denied.
A breakdown of the details, in my first for @jsource.bsky.social
j-source.ca/first-batch-...
First batch of Google’s $100 million is paid. Here’s who won big and who didn’t - J-Source
A look at how Online News Act funds are being distributed
j-source.ca
May 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Exclusionary rules aside — the fact that CJC is distributing funds to news outlets based on how much they spent employing staff in past years will reinforce powerful legacy institutions while keeping the ones without resources in scarcity. It isn't equitable.
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Feeling grateful for the thought and care put into this story by editors @tahtone.bsky.social & @caramck.bsky.social, and I absolutely love the stunning illustrations by @jessieboulard.bsky.social
Check out the story on @indiginews.bsky.social ⤵️
indiginews.com/features/cli...
Check out the story on @indiginews.bsky.social ⤵️
indiginews.com/features/cli...
Climate change is melting ice roads — a lifeline for remote Indigenous communities
As the key winter connectors disappear, First Nations are looking for all-season solutions amid a push for mineral extraction on their lands
indiginews.com
May 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Feeling grateful for the thought and care put into this story by editors @tahtone.bsky.social & @caramck.bsky.social, and I absolutely love the stunning illustrations by @jessieboulard.bsky.social
Check out the story on @indiginews.bsky.social ⤵️
indiginews.com/features/cli...
Check out the story on @indiginews.bsky.social ⤵️
indiginews.com/features/cli...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
From @hilarybeaumont.bsky.social & @jessieboulard.bsky.social for @grist.org & @indiginews.bsky.social: More than 50 First Nations depend on approximately 3,700 miles of winter roads. There are no paved roads connecting these Indigenous communities to the nearest cities. 🧵
grist.org/indigenous/i...
grist.org/indigenous/i...
Ice roads are a lifeline for First Nations. As Canada warms, they're disappearing.
Indigenous peoples are navigating the slow collapse of winter roads — and an even slower pace of help.
grist.org
May 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
From @hilarybeaumont.bsky.social & @jessieboulard.bsky.social for @grist.org & @indiginews.bsky.social: More than 50 First Nations depend on approximately 3,700 miles of winter roads. There are no paved roads connecting these Indigenous communities to the nearest cities. 🧵
grist.org/indigenous/i...
grist.org/indigenous/i...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
always optimistic that the journalism industry can become a fairer and more inclusive place, and pointing out structural failures and biases where they occur is part of building that future. to that end, please read this editorial from IndigiNews:
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
always optimistic that the journalism industry can become a fairer and more inclusive place, and pointing out structural failures and biases where they occur is part of building that future. to that end, please read this editorial from IndigiNews:
Reposted by Cara McKenna
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com
May 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com/first-person...
We're disappointed that a new model such as the CJC — founded on commitments to fairness, inclusivity and a robust future for Canadian media — has already demonstrated it is not capable of fulfilling these ambitions.
Editorial from the @indiginews.bsky.social team:
indiginews.com/first-person...
Editorial from the @indiginews.bsky.social team:
indiginews.com/first-person...
Why you won’t see IndigiNews among those sharing in the $100M Google news fund
As the CJC hands out millions to ‘Canadian’ media under the federal Online News Act, our Indigenous newsroom is left behind
indiginews.com
May 7, 2025 at 1:58 PM
We're disappointed that a new model such as the CJC — founded on commitments to fairness, inclusivity and a robust future for Canadian media — has already demonstrated it is not capable of fulfilling these ambitions.
Editorial from the @indiginews.bsky.social team:
indiginews.com/first-person...
Editorial from the @indiginews.bsky.social team:
indiginews.com/first-person...
Reposted by Cara McKenna
so happy & proud to see this nêhiyawêwin story recognized: read @caramck.bsky.social's letter about what makes it so special for us: thenarwhal.ca/buffalo-gras...
May 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
so happy & proud to see this nêhiyawêwin story recognized: read @caramck.bsky.social's letter about what makes it so special for us: thenarwhal.ca/buffalo-gras...
I’m extremely proud of our amazing team at @indiginews.bsky.social for receiving four nominations, including for general excellence in digital publishing and best one-of-a-kind storytelling (with @thenarwhal.ca)! So grateful 🖤
🎉 Finalists for the 2025 Digital Publishing Awards have been announced!
From compelling journalism to interactive design, these nominees represent the best in Canadian digital publishing.
🌐 See the full list: zurl.co/8FlQL
#DPA25 #DigitalPublishing #CanadianMedia
From compelling journalism to interactive design, these nominees represent the best in Canadian digital publishing.
🌐 See the full list: zurl.co/8FlQL
#DPA25 #DigitalPublishing #CanadianMedia
May 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I’m extremely proud of our amazing team at @indiginews.bsky.social for receiving four nominations, including for general excellence in digital publishing and best one-of-a-kind storytelling (with @thenarwhal.ca)! So grateful 🖤
Reposted by Cara McKenna
At the UN, Tŝilhqot’in outlines a plan to deal with the toxic drug crisis — but needs the resources
A delegation from the ‘B.C.’ nation asked governments for help responding to the emergency, saying they want to expand cultural care
indiginews.com/news/at-the-...
Story by @caramck.bsky.social
A delegation from the ‘B.C.’ nation asked governments for help responding to the emergency, saying they want to expand cultural care
indiginews.com/news/at-the-...
Story by @caramck.bsky.social
At the UN, Tŝilhqot’in outlines a plan to deal with the toxic drug crisis — but needs the resources
A delegation from the ‘B.C.’ nation asked governments for help responding to the emergency, saying they want to expand cultural care
indiginews.com
May 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
At the UN, Tŝilhqot’in outlines a plan to deal with the toxic drug crisis — but needs the resources
A delegation from the ‘B.C.’ nation asked governments for help responding to the emergency, saying they want to expand cultural care
indiginews.com/news/at-the-...
Story by @caramck.bsky.social
A delegation from the ‘B.C.’ nation asked governments for help responding to the emergency, saying they want to expand cultural care
indiginews.com/news/at-the-...
Story by @caramck.bsky.social