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Unreserved

Unreserved celebrates Indigenous journalism with Indigenous Journalists Association

Unreserved received three IJA Media Awards at the annual conference held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in late July.

Unreserved receives three IJA Media Awards at the annual conference

CBC Radio ·
Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild poses with the three Indigenous Journalists Association Media Awards awarded to her and her team.
CBC Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild poses with three awards presented to the show at the Indigenous Journalists Association awards gala July 27 in Oklahoma City, Okla. (courtesy of IJA)

CBC Unreserved is ramping up for another season and taking time to reflect on the work of the show and of Indigenous journalists across Turtle Island. A recent trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma presented an opportunity to hear from journalists about the stories they carry with them. 

The Indigenous Journalists Association's annual conference took place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, July 25 to 27 and featured more than 35 breakout sessions and special events that covered topics ranging from reporting on tribal governments to the need for more IndigiQueer coverage.

It was an opportunity to listen, reflect and celebrate.

"As we head into season 11 of our radio space for Indigenous voices, I am inspired, rejuvenated and ready to make more space," said Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild, who was among the more than 400 delegates.

"The gathering did not disappoint. There were learning opportunities; inspiring experiences were shared and lessons offered to do better," she said. 

Panels throughout the conference included Matriarchs in Media, highlighting Indigenous women leaders in mainstream and Indigenous media, and a roundtable discussion to create a guide for journalists covering the IndigiQueer community.

Four Indigenous women sit at a conference table looking forward. Shannon Shaw Duty on the right is speaking. The others listen intently.
Matriarchs in Media panel members at the IJA conference were, left to right, Karyn Pugliese, Katie Oyan, Angel Ellis and Shannon Shaw Duty. (Rosanna Deerchild)

The conference wrapped on Saturday with an awards gala. The Unreserved team was presented with three IJA Media Awards at the event for three different episodes of the show.

"Search the Landfill" received a Best Feature Story award. The episode follows family members and demonstrators calling on authorities to search a Winnipeg landfill for four murdered women. 

"Healing after Harm: The Buffy Sainte-Marie investigation" was awarded in the General Excellence in Radio/Podcasting category. Released in the wake of CBC's investigation into Buffy Sainte Marie's Indigenous identity, the episode holds space for a range of reactions to the news, and imagines our path forward. 

"Two-spirit artivists share two ways of seeing the world" won in the Best Two-Spirit Coverage category. This year marks the second year the IJA has awarded stories in this category, highlighting the importance of making space for two-spirit stories in media. 

Three journalists from CBC Indigenous were also awarded for their work.

A full list of the winners is posted on the Indigenous Journalists Association website.