'Strong journalism, hard work' praised
Regional newspapers association rewards general excellence, LeTourneau reporting, and AWG coverage
Northern News Services
Monday, April 24, 2017
NUNAVUT
Nunavut News/North was named best in its category at the Ontario Community Newspapers Association's spring convention in Toronto April 7.
Reporter Michele LeTourneau took first place for feature writing, third place for environmental writing, and an honourable mention for heritage writing.
The newspaper also won in the online special project category for its website and app coverage of the 2016 Arctic Winter Games.
Winning the general excellence category for its circulation class of 3,500 to 6,499, the judges praised the paper's coverage of the territory's small communities.
"Serving the community is clearly what the paper does best. In all categories, readers are treated to a high standard, and in two languages," stated judges Laura Keil of The Rocky Mountain Goat, Lily Ryan of the Bulletin d'Aylmer and Rob Vogt of the Claresholm Local Press.
Taking first place in the online special project/event/breaking news coverage category, the team of Casey Lessard, Walter Strong, James McCarthy and Stewart Burnett was praised for using photography, social media and a dedicated app to provide comprehensive and accessible coverage to Nunavummiut.
"Coverage of an event like this is a massive undertaking for a community newspaper, and it's obvious the team of Nunavut News/North put a lot of planning and hard work into this. Their entry is a great example of how to plan, organize and execute on-line coverage of a major event," stated judge Barbara Dean Simmons, managing editor for TC Media.
Reporter Michele LeTourneau placed first in the feature writing category for papers with circulation under 9,999 for Kugluktuk-based coverage of the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization Project. Judge Gail Sjuberg of the Gulf Islands Driftwood said LeTourneau's reporting on the women's traditional practice was thoroughly researched and fascinating to read, accentuated by both photography and layout.
The tattoo coverage also garnered an honourable mention in the heritage category.
"This is a special story of determination and cultural revival of female tattooing," stated judge Wendy Elliott of the Kings County Advertiser/Register.
LeTourneau also placed third in the environment category for reporting on the use of caribou calving grounds.
"A classic case of the press acting as a watchdog on government," stated category judge Stephen Cogan of Centennial College. "She gives everyone their say on what is clearly an important regional issue."
Judges for the general excellence category also stated all winning papers showed how print newspaper can excel in areas from news to photos, community content, and local editorials.
"These papers are a testimony to the future of a healthy democracy in Canada, thanks to strong journalism. It is through publishing strong papers that newspapers will ride through these changing times."
