We’re hiring two reporters to cover Indigenous news in the Okanagan

Are you a reporter who wants to spend time listening, working on stories outside of the daily news grind and amplifying Indigenous voices in the Okanagan? Hi, we want to work with you. 

The Discourse is partnering with APTN, supported by funding from the Local News Journalism Initiative, to start a new digital news outlet in the Okanagan region. We’re hiring two reporters to provide in-depth reporting on Indigenous news and affairs. These are not typical daily news roles. Reporting will be committed to listening to and serving the public, carving out space in the media for communities to speak on matters of interest to them. 

Reporters will work for The Discourse. We are incubating this new local digital product modelled off of our successful in-depth local journalism The Discourse Cowichan and previous outlet Urban Nation. APTN will serve as a partner, offering editorial production support, and expertise. Through this partnership our collective goal is to fill local news reporting gaps and contribute to the long-term sustainability of independent Indigenous news in Canada. 

The details: 

• This is a full-time position that will start as soon as possible and continue through March, 31, 2021, with the possibility of extension.
• Reporters can be based anywhere in the Okanagan. 
• The annual compensation is $50,000.00. 
• You will be paid by The Discourse with funding from the Local Journalism Initiative. 
• All of your stories will be published by The Discourse. Where relevant to a national audience, stories will be published by APTN National News. Additionally, your stories will be added to the Local Journalism Initiative news portal run by The Canadian Press where they will be made available to other media through Creative Commons. 
• Please fill out this application form by March 1, 2020 to apply.
• We are committed to supporting a more equitable media industry. We encourage candidates with a range of perspectives, abilities, backgrounds and experience to apply, and especially encourage First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants.

The Job: 

• Producing regular and in-depth content (pitching, interviewing, researching, writing stories, fact-checking, taking photos, shooting video, developing social media posts, etc.).
• Editing and uploading content to the website. 
• Engaging on an ongoing basis with community members in person, at events, over email and on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). 
• Collaborating with The Discourse and APTN’s central journalism hub. 

We’re looking for someone who:

1. Is dedicated to covering the Okanagan region. You live in the area or are willing to move and bring relevant context to your work. You have experience centring Indigenous perspectives in your coverage and are equipped to build trust with communities. 
2. Believes in our values and mission. You are passionate about shaping the future of independent Indigenous media in Canada. 
3. Wants to listen. You are curious and willing to listen to a range of people about what issues matter to them. You like to put yourself out there, host events, build community and invite people to meaningfully contribute to the reporting process. 
4. Can produce and edit great content. You have a voice, you can write and edit quickly, you can upload content to a website and you’re into social media, video and photography. 
5. Committed to accuracy You are a meticulous fact-checker who understands the importance of using primary sources, lived experiences and various experts to get it right. You question data and information when you get it — no matter who it comes from — and are able to show your process.
6. Is entrepreneurial. You like that this is a new endeavour. You love experimenting, testing, and learning and are committed to building audience and sustainability. 
7. Is a team player. We are collaborative, female-led organizations that are trying to shake up typical newsroom dynamics. We want to work with people who are excited to challenge some of journalism’s established structures and work towards creating a positive work culture.

These are new positions and we’d like to hear from as many people as possible. If you’re not sure if you qualify, email [email protected] I’d be happy to chat with you and learn more about your experience.

The Organizations:

The Discourse

The Discourse’s mission is to contribute to a healthier and more inclusive democracy with in-depth, community-driven journalism. We listen before we report, and our community members inform the stories we tell. Our journalism is not dictated by people — politicians, advertisers, journalists — who aren’t invested in the communities we serve.

We’re passionate, scrappy journalists committed to building a new kind of media that better reflects us all — because we’re connected to these communities, too. Since founding The Discourse six years ago, our team of journalists have been producing award-winning investigative journalism. We are driven by an ongoing commitment to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Comission’s calls to action for the media. 

APTN

Since we began in 1999, APTN’s mission has been to share our Peoples’ journey, celebrate our cultures, inspire our children and honour the wisdom of our Elders. APTN is the world’s first Indigenous television network, and APTN News has won many awards for journalistic excellence.