Carleton University is launching a new one-year journalism certificate to be delivered on the ground in Indigenous communities across Ontario starting in September 2025. This innovative program addresses access barriers faced by many Indigenous young people, enabling them to access high-quality education and explore careers in journalism in their home communities.
While there are a growing number of opportunities for Indigenous storytellers in Canada’s journalism industry, many youth face challenges in pursuing education and employment in this vital field. These include travel expenses, accommodation costs and lack of community and cultural supports. As a result, Indigenous perspectives remain underrepresented in Canadian media.
A new certificate program – launched by Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, in partnership with First Nations Technical Institute, Kenjgewin Teg, and the Mastercard Foundation – seeks to address this gap. The Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities offers a braided learning experience, ensuring every learner has adequate social and cultural support for successful completion.
“Many young Indigenous learners already have inherent knowledge of storytelling,” says Duncan McCue, an associate professor in journalism at Carleton University and the director of the certificate program. “This program aims to provide opportunities for these learners to build confidence in their journalism skills and receive credentials that can serve them in the future.”
FNTI’s Adam Hopkins, Sr. VP Academic describes the advantages of an Indigenous journalism program “At FNTI we have found marked success in ‘braided learning’, where cultural teachings, academic rigour, technical excellence and wraparound supports guide and support the learner. This new journalism program, partnered with Indigenous Institutes will produce many more Indigenous voices, telling their own stories.”
Kenjgewin Teg’s President Beverley Roy shared, “Kenjgewin Teg is humbled, honoured and grateful to be a higher education partner for this program that will be shaping how our Indigenous stories are told – not only to the general public as one audience, but how we also begin to retell our own stories to ourselves too – and that is an exciting future we are all a part of today. The power of journalism, or storytelling, cannot be underestimated in how it can build not only Indigenous Nations but inform all Nations as well. It’s time we all listen to these stories.”
At the outset, the certificate is aimed at reaching Indigenous learners in remote and rural communities across Ontario. Courses will be taught primarily online, bolstered by in-person intensives at a central location. The program’s braided delivery model aligns Indigenous storytelling traditions with culturally relevant support, accessible delivery and the option of pathways to university. Those who complete the certificate will get advanced standing if they choose to pursue Carleton University’s Bachelor of Journalism program.
Certificate participants will be taught by experienced Indigenous journalists, with training provided by Indigenous institute partners throughout. Participants will also apply their learning and deepen their knowledge and skills on the job through a two-week internship placement and will have ongoing access to a cultural advisor. More information about the program can be found here.
The program is now seeking Indigenous journalists and community members to form a program advisory committee and deliver courses such as Indigenous storytelling, entrepreneurial journalism and audio/visual reporting. The first cohort of participants begins in September 2025.
Carleton has received transformational support from the Mastercard Foundation EleV Program with an investment of $3.2 million for the development and delivery of the certificate. EleV recognizes that Indigenous youth are the youngest, fastest growing population in Canada and the leaders and agents of change for their communities and the country as a whole.
“The generous support of the Mastercard Foundation to deliver this certificate program isn’t just of monetary value; it recognizes the tremendous value that Indigenous voices have always brought to making sense of the world through storytelling. Canadian society as a whole will be enriched by the combination of perspectives, experiences and exceptional professional expertise that participants will gain from the program,” says Carleton University President and Vice-Chancellor, Wisdom Tettey.
“This partnership promises to create a new generation of Indigenous journalists telling new stories from new perspectives. The Mastercard Foundation seeks to support Indigenous-led partners who are transforming education and creating pathways to meaningful livelihoods for Indigenous youth,” says Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs at Mastercard Foundation. “Carleton’s JIIC program brings high-quality, culturally relevant education to Indigenous students right in their home communities. We’re proud to partner on this program that will benefit Indigenous youth and help all Canadians better understand Indigenous peoples’ perspectives, priorities and realities.”
Carleton University has also received generous development support from the Inspirit Foundation to develop the certificate.
The program aligns with Carleton University’s commitment to reconciliation and embraces the vision of Kinàmàgawin (Learning Together), Carleton’s Indigenous strategy. As part of recommendations put forward by Carleton University’s Strategic Indigenous Initiatives Committee and the more than 600 contributors to the strategy, the university seeks to revitalize and support bringing Indigenous knowledge into teaching and learning.
About Carleton University
Carleton University is a dynamic, research-intensive institution that engages in partnerships to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The university’s corporate collaborations bring together world-class companies, researchers and a new generation of talent with over 30,000 students to deliver innovations and results that are driving a more prosperous, sustainable future.
About FNTI
FNTI is Ontario’s First Nations Technical Institute. We offer unique educational opportunities to enhance learners’ and communities’ capacity and strength through culturally-rich post-secondary programming. Our community-driven approach coupled with our intense program delivery method allow Indigenous learners to maintain connections to family and community while they study and prepare for their future careers. FNTI is a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization, accredited by the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (IAESC). FNTI has over 4,500 graduates with certificate, diploma and degree credentials. The Institute is developing independent FNTI programs in accordance with the Indigenous Institutes Act, 2017. In September 2024 FNTI launched its first independent BISW program.
About Kenjgewin Teg
Situated on the picturesque Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) in Northern Ontario, Kenjgewin Teg remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence in teaching and learning. Grounded in the rich history, ancestral knowledge, stories, and traditional teachings of the land, Kenjgewin Teg is dedicated to nurturing students’ identities and sharing the richness of Anishinabek language (Anishinaabemowin), culture, and tradition with the world. Kenjgewin Teg is one of nine Indigenous Institutes in Ontario recognized under the Indigenous Institutes Act of 2017. In January 2022, Kenjgewin Teg was declared an accredited Indigenous Institute in Ontario by the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (IAESC).
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from the company, with offices in Toronto, Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, and Addis Ababa. Its policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by the Foundation’s Board of Directors and leadership.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.mastercardfdn.org.
Feature photo caption
From left: Senior Director Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation Jennifer Brennan, First Nations Technical Institute Senior Vice-President, Academic, Adam Hopkins, Kenjgewin Teg President Beverley Roy, and Carleton University School of Journalism and Communication Associate Professor Duncan McCue.
Photo by Leo Solano, Faculty of Public and Global Affairs, Carleton University
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