120-year-old B.C. newspaper purchased by local Indigenous-owned corporation

A 120-year-old publication in B.C.'s Interior has been purchased by an Indigenous-owned corporation that says it is determined to represent and uplift the community it serves. 

The K'en T'em Limited Partnership says it has purchased the Merritt Herald, which was founded in 1905. 

"We're taking community ownership of something that's already doing great work. It's not about taking over or changing its mission, it's about creating that strong local backing," said Marius Auer, communications and engagement manager at K'en T'em Limited Partnership and a former editor at the Merritt Herald. 

LISTEN | New Indigenous ownership for local newspaper:

Daybreak South8:38New Indigenous ownership for a local newspaper in the Nicola Valley.

The Indigenous corporation K'en T'em Limited Partnership has purchased the Merritt Herald from Glacier Media to create local backing for the newspaper. 

K'en T'em Limited Partnership, which is headquartered in Merritt, acquired the paper from Vancouver-based Glacier Media.

"People can still expect to see the Herald show up for them every Thursday, as it has been for 120 years," said Auer. 

He said day-to-day operations at the Herald will remain the same and the newsroom will stay independent. 

"We do think it's a sound [financial] investment, but we do see it as a social and cultural investment as well," Auer said. 

Chief Lindsay Tighe of the Shackan Indian Band, who is a director on the K'en T'em board, said the purchase is an opportunity to create space for stories that represent all people, including the nłeʔképmx people.  

Herald editor Laísa Condé said she is happy that the newspaper will once again be locally owned.

"At the end of the day that's kind of what the community expects from us… To keep things local and to engage with everyone who calls Merritt and the Nicola Valley home," Condé said. 

She said the ownership change provides an opportunity to amplify Indigenous voices in a respectful and collaborative way.

"We're all just really happy that we have this opportunity to still maintain our role in the community to listen, reflect the truth and amplify those voices."

Auer said having Indigenous-owned corporations included in the media landscape ensures everyone has a seat at the table. 

"Indigenous stories are local stories," he said.