Madeline Dunnett got the journalism bug as a student at Highland Secondary in Comox. She recalls joining her father, who owned a local ski shop, to an industry ski show and holding out her microphone to ask questions to the adults behind the booths.
“I remember thinking that nobody there would want to talk to me or answer my questions, but when I went up to them, they actually were really excited to talk to me about skiing,” Madeline recalls. “I think something clicked in me then. So many people have stories that they want to tell and ideas they want to share, you just need to ask!”
Her reporting from that event included a story about skier Shane McConkey, who had died the year before in a BASE jumping incident, which was published in her high school newspaper, The Beacon. She went on to become the paper’s editor, and won her school’s journalism award.
Madeline’s path has taken some turns since then, including work planting trees throughout B.C.
But Madeline is in the midst of a homecoming — back to the Comox Valley, and back to local news reporting.
Madeline recently graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Master of Journalism. She’s told stories about tree planting through a climate emergency and about kitchen workers suffering through record heat.
Now, Madeline is The Discourse’s community reporter for the Comox Valley, with a focus on regional environmental issues. This work came about in response to community feedback about the gaps in local coverage, and was made possible with support from the Local Journalism Initiative.
I spoke with Madeline about why she wants to keep sticking out her microphone asking questions in the Comox Valley.
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Your journalism story seems to be coming full circle. Why did you want to return to reporting in the place where you grew up?
I missed it here! I’m grateful for my time in Vancouver, but I always knew I wanted to come back to the Comox Valley. I miss waking up in the morning and being able to go outside for a quick walk and immediately be in a forest. I find it very calming. I also have noticed the valley has grown a lot ever since I was a kid. There are a lot of really cool things happening and I’m excited to be a part of the community again.
What excites you about reporting on environmental issues in the Comox Valley?
The Comox Valley has a big forestry industry, farming community and tourism industry. All of these industries are impacted by climate change and are related to our relationships with the land. There are also a lot of community members who are very passionate about spending time in the area and recreating or playing in the forests or mountains around here. There’s a lot happening and the people who live and work here want to know about it!
How have your ideas about what it means to be a journalist changed over time?
I think my main idea of what it means to be a journalist is still the same, but I’ve realized more how important it is to portray the complexity of a story and who is involved. The more I learn about journalism — especially community journalism, the more I realize how important it is to build relationships and listen to the communities that are going to be impacted by the story. I’ve also learned that it’s impossible to be a robot. There will be some stories that do impact me, but that’s just the reality of being a human. We can still try to report as best we can while acknowledging that these stories might impact us as well.
What do you hope will come about as a result of your local reporting?
I hope I’m able to fill some gaps in news and information that the community really needs, and bring to light stories that community members feel are important to share.
Outside of reporting, what are you most looking forward to, in terms of reconnecting with the Comox Valley and the people who live there?
I have some very close friends and family here that I’ll get to see more often. I’m excited to spend time in the mountains with them! I’m really looking forward to the ski season. I grew up skiing and it will feel good to be back on my home slopes.
Got a story tip? Email madeline@thediscourse.ca
