Rez 91 helps Amy study story-telling

 

Wasauksing First Nation education counsellor Jody Baker,  left, and  Anita Chechock, right, manager of CHRZ Rez91 Radio with Amy ‘Zeeb’ King, first recipient of the Rez 91 Story Teller Bursary.
Wasauksing First Nation education counsellor Jody Baker, left, and Anita Chechock, right, manager of CHRZ Rez91 Radio with Amy ‘Zeeb’ King, first recipient of the Rez 91 Story Teller Bursary.

By Vince Chechock

WASAUKSING FN –  Amy “Zeeb” King is the first recipient of Rez91’s  Story Teller Bursary, a fund established by Wasauksing’s community radio station in 2011.

Amy, a citizen of Wasauksing,  is currently attending Seneca College’s  journalism program.

The bursary was created to assist and encourage young and ambitious Indigenous students to pursue a career in either print or electronic media. It is open and available to members of the six First Nations of the Highway 69 corridor — Henvey Inlet, Magnetewan, Shawanaga, Wasauksing, Moose Deer Point and Wahta First Nations.  Applicants must have been accepted by and enrolled in recognized and accredited learning institutions.

Rez 91 created the bursary after hearing area  journalists relate stories about industry pressures to focus on sensational stories about First Nations, particularly anything dealing with protest or allegations of corruption.

Organizers hope to generate a family of Anishinaabe Story Tellers – such as Waubgeshig Rice and Jennifer Ashawasegai – who can offer an Indigenous perspective and help bridge the media chasm of ignorance and misinformation.