In order to improve how the journalists of tomorrow approach Indigenous issues, Carleton’s School of Journalism and Communication believes its essential to introduce journalism students to the Indigenous territory they inhabit while studying in Ottawa and guide them in building productive journalistic relationships with Indigenous communities.

This year, the School is pleased to continue offering its students a unique course taught by Professor Duncan McCue that will provide them vital opportunities for experiential learning in Indigenous communities in the city of Ottawa and Ottawa Valley region.

Students will be assigned in teams of 3-4 to cover three First Nations in the Ottawa Valley and urban Indigenous communities in the city of Ottawa (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit). All student teams will explore one theme (i.e. health, Elders) and will be responsible for researching and producing an enterprise news story with multimedia elements.

Students will gain valuable skills in planning and carrying out reporting field trips by managing their own budgets and off-campus travel arrangements.

Fundamental to the RIIC course are community partnerships with three First Nations closest to Carleton University – Kitigan Zibi (2 hr 10 min drive), Pikwàkanagàn (1 hr 40 min drive) and Akwesasne (1hr 15 min drive). Students will also report on the city of Ottawa’s growing urban Indigenous population (nearly 50,000 people).

Classroom learning will be enhanced by inviting Indigenous community members and scholars to lecture on Indigenous worldviews and histories. Students will also participate in a site visit of Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, giving them access to behind-the-scenes perspectives on urban Indigenous governance.

The RIIC webpage on the School’s Capital Current website will be a public-facing showcase of both exclusive journalism material reported by students and their newsgathering experiences in Indigenous communities.