'Operated for as long as we could': Local Indigenous newspaper announces hiatus
After 27 years in the business, Eagle Feather News is halting its production of its paper.
The news comes after Editor In-Chief Kerry Benjoe said their ad sale revenues have been on a steady decline since the introduction of the Online News Act in June of 2023.
“We operated for as long as we could. We put out the December paper and when we looked at our finances, it wasn’t economically feasible, we couldn’t do it,” she explained.
The outlet did not print a January or February copy because of the financial hardship.
“I wrote an editorial just explaining where we are at and it was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do because I had to come to the realization that, you know, maybe we wouldn’t be able to survive this,” Benjoe said.
A professor with the First Nations University of Canada said this hiatus is profound, not just for the Indigenous community, but for everyone.
“Thinking about Eagle Feather News going on hiatus is a bit like you finally got a seat at the table now they are burning down the restaurant. Media tends to find a way but I think now more than ever, we just need the public to see,” said Merelda Fiddler-Potter, Assistant Professor with the First Nations University of Canada.
Eagle Feather News is not on an indefinite hiatus, but is looking for other financial help.
“This is significant and hopefully, you know, there are some advertisers out there who see the value in a newspaper like Eagle Feather News,” explained Fiddler-Potter.
The outlet is unsure how long it will be on hiatus for but will continue to update the community on the state of Eagle Feather News going forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Parliament on the road to an unprecedented confidence crisis, but there are off-ramps
If no political party is willing to say uncle, the drawn-out stalemate in the House of Commons is heading for an unprecedented situation that could amount to a tacit lack of confidence in the government, without anyone in Parliament casting a vote.
'We're not the bad boy': Charity pushes back on claims made by 101-year-old widow in $40M will dispute
Centenarian Mary McEachern says she knew what her husband wanted when he died. The problem is, his will says otherwise.
Doctors say RFK Jr.’s anti-Ozempic stance perpetuates stigma and misrepresents evidence
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged to tackle high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. They’re goals that many in the public health world find themselves agreeing with — despite fearing what else the infamous anti-vaccine activist may do in the post.
'Have you been to the moon?': Scout groups contact International Space Station
Windsor-Essex Scout groups spent their Saturday afternoon making a long-distance call to the International Space Station (ISS).
Danielle Smith '1,000 per cent' in favour of ousting Mexico from trilateral trade deal with U.S. and Canada
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she agrees it could be time to cut Mexico out of the trilateral free trade agreement with Canada and the United States.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
Pope Francis calls for investigation to determine if Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute 'genocide'
Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel's attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released Sunday from an upcoming new book ahead of the pontiff's jubilee year.
East Vancouver bids farewell to its iconic, polka dot property
An iconic home famous for its polka-dotted exterior will soon be torn down, marking the end of an era for East Vancouver residents.
A gold pocket watch given to the captain who rescued Titanic survivors sells for record price
A gold pocket watch given to the ship captain who rescued 700 survivors from the Titanic sold at auction for nearly US$2 million, setting a record for memorabilia from the ship wreck.