When Jamin Mike listened to Jeanelle Mande’s stories about journalism, when they were both working at their local community radio station, he knew he was meant to be a story-teller.
Since then, Mike has followed in Mande’s footsteps by attending the INCA Summer Institute, a seven week introduction to journalism at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv).
They and three other former INCA survivors shared their experiences with the 2018 INCA students on a panel discussion on the opening day of the Institute.
Mike, from Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation, he said he always been drawn to broadcasting.
“I always watched Nelson Bird on CTV Indigenous Circle then Creeson Agecoutay,” said Mike, referring two well-known indigenous journalists in Saskatchewan.
“Something always drew me to news, I remember as a child I would sit there with my kokum Doreen watching news like a grown up would,” Mike said.
The INCA Summer Institute brings in professional journalists in different media to teach the students their area of expertise. The institute is facilitated by Shannon Avison, the INCA program coordinator, runs from May 7 – June 22.
“This year is the largest class we have ever had and plus we added teaching units, added instructors about twitter, podcasting, and two APTN instructors, producers coming to work with the students which we never had before.” said Avision. “It’s really tremendous this year.”
Newly recruited INCA student Mary Powder hails from Yellowknife, NWT. She came to Regina for this institute specifically. She was encouraged by one of her supervisors and so far, she said the institute is very interesting and makes her want to go further.
“I highly recommend this U of R journalism because that’s how you get started, and you have to start somewhere,” said Powder. “Believe in yourself and don’t get discouraged. You have a lot of classmates that you can do teamwork.”
Another newly recruited student, Robert Merasty from Ile-a-la-Crosse who has been a journalist for 46 years, said he needed to come back for a refresher.
He first heard of INCA in the late 1980s and took INCA in 1991.
“I love the class and I would come back here anytime for another refresher and I would recommend it to any young person who is interested.”
Robert Merasty has been a broadcaster for 40 years. Photo by Jaycene Lathlin
Mary Powder works for CBC Yellowknife as an Inuktitut translator. Photo by Jaycene Lathlin