The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has announced Wawmeesh G. Hamilton and Nikki Wiart as the recipients of this year’s Aboriginal Journalism Fellowships. Established in 2014 as a single fellowship opportunity, gives two early-career Aboriginal journalists the opportunity to explore issues of interest to First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples while being hosted by CBC News for one month at its Aboriginal centre in Winnipeg.
Hamilton, a staff reporter/photographer the Alberni Valley News in B.C. since December 2007, proposed investigating how elderly Aboriginal sex offenders are reintegrated into their communities. Hamilton has previously received two BCYCNA awards and three CCNA awards for both writing and photography.
Wiart proposed investigating the long-term effects of foster care on Aboriginal children. She is currently a producer with Global TV in Edmonton and her work has been published in the Edmonton Journal, The Walrus and on BuzzFeed.
The awards will be presented at the CJF Awards in Toronto at The Fairmont Royal York on June 3.