Reconciliation in Media and Journalism

The media shapes how people see the world—including how Indigenous Peoples are seen and heard. For generations, mainstream journalism in Canada has contributed to the erasure, stereotyping, and marginalization of Indigenous voices. Reconciliation in media and journalism means shifting from a history of misrepresentation to one of truth-telling, inclusion, and respect.

 

A reconciled media landscape uplifts Indigenous stories, supports Indigenous storytellers, and helps all Canadians understand the ongoing impacts of colonialism—and the strength and diversity of Indigenous cultures today.

 

The Harmful Legacy

  • Underrepresentation and Misrepresentation
     Indigenous Peoples have been portrayed through stereotypes or ignored entirely in mainstream media narratives.
  • Sensationalism over Context
     Stories of violence, poverty, or conflict are often covered without historical or systemic context, reinforcing stigma rather than understanding.
  • Lack of Indigenous Voices in Newsrooms
     Indigenous journalists remain underrepresented in Canadian media organizations and leadership roles.
  • Silencing of Truths
     Residential schools, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), land disputes, and other vital issues have been underreported or distorted for decades.

Principles for Reconciliation in Media and Journalism

  • Center Indigenous Voices
     Indigenous people must have the authority and platform to tell their own stories, in their own ways.
  • Truth Before Reconciliation
     Journalism must acknowledge the full truth of colonial violence and ongoing injustices, guided by facts and Indigenous experience.
  • Support Indigenous-Led Media
     Independent Indigenous media organizations are leading the way in community-based, culturally grounded reporting and storytelling.
  • Cultural Competency and Anti-Racism
     Journalists and editors must receive training in Indigenous history, worldviews, and anti-racist practices to avoid harmful biases.
  • Collaboration Over Extraction
     Media must build respectful, long-term relationships with Indigenous communities—not drop in during a crisis, then disappear.

What Reconciliation Requires

  • Hiring and promoting more Indigenous journalists, editors, and producers across all media platforms
  • Creating equitable funding and policy support for Indigenous-led media organizations
  • Reforming journalism school curricula to include Indigenous perspectives, protocols, and ethical standards
  • Ending the use of harmful stereotypes and ensuring cultural accuracy in reporting
  • Covering Indigenous stories consistently—not only during crises—and with historical context
  • Upholding Indigenous intellectual property rights and cultural protocols in storytelling

How You Can Help

  • Support Indigenous Media Outlets
     Read, share, and fund organizations like APTN, IndigiNews, Windspeaker, and others.
  • Amplify Indigenous Storytellers
     Follow Indigenous journalists, filmmakers, and creators. Share their work respectfully.
  • Consume News Critically
     Question headlines and coverage. Ask: Whose voice is missing? What context is missing?
  • Advocate for Change
     Encourage local and national media to hire Indigenous staff, correct errors, and commit to ethical standards for Indigenous coverage.
  • Tell Stories Responsibly
     If you're a creator or journalist, ensure your work reflects truth, respect, and consent when engaging with Indigenous content.

Reconciliation in media is about moving beyond tokenism to transformation. When Indigenous Peoples control their stories—and when journalism upholds truth, equity, and respect—we create a media landscape where all voices matter, and reconciliation becomes part of the national conversation every day.

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