What We Are Reading: Elevating Indigenous Journalism
Karyn Pugliese’s story captures the essence of Indigenous journalism as a force for truth and reconciliation
Location: CanadaDate: July 1, 2024
Still from the documentary “KANEHSATAKE - 270 Years of Resistance”
In the Nieman Reports article "One Truth at a Time: Bringing Indigenous History to Canada’s Media," Karyn Pugliese provides a profound insight into the evolution and impact of Indigenous journalism in Canada. This compelling narrative begins with Pugliese’s personal journey into journalism, inspired by her passion for writing and politics, and evolves into a broader exploration of how Indigenous voices have fought for representation and truth in the Canadian media landscape.
Pugliese recounts pivotal moments like the Oka Crisis and the Ipperwash incident, highlighting how mainstream media often misrepresented these events, portraying Indigenous peoples through a narrow and often biased lens. This misrepresentation fueled her determination to pursue journalism and tell the stories that were being overlooked or distorted. Pugliese’s work at the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) is a testament to this mission. Launched in 2000, APTN became a groundbreaking platform that allowed Indigenous journalists to cover crucial issues such as land disputes, missing Indigenous women, residential school survivors, and more, directly from their perspective.
The establishment of APTN marked a significant shift in Canadian journalism. For the first time, Indigenous journalists had a dedicated platform to tell their stories, challenge stereotypes, and influence public discourse. Pugliese’s leadership in the APTN newsroom, especially her coverage of Parliament Hill, exemplifies the power of Indigenous journalism in advocating for justice and truth.
You can read the full story here.
Karyn Pugliese, a 2020 Nieman Fellow, is the former executive director of news and current affairs at Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). She is now an assistant professor of journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto.