Concordia students support the creation of a community podcast by Kahnawà:ke eighth graders

The Voices of Kahnawà:ke podcast is the latest creation from students in the partnership between Concordia’s Department of Journalism and Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS).

The two-episode podcast explores two themes: Community Myths and Legends, and Social Justice and Culture. The episodes feature stories from two grade eight classes at KSS, with each class producing its own episode with the guidance of Concordia journalism students.   

“The kids were just so smart and fun, and I thought their ideas were amazing,” says associate professor Kristy Snell, who spearheads the collaboration. It’s based at the Department of Journalism’s Institute for Inclusive, Investigative and Innovative Journalism (I3J).

“Kahnawà:ke Survival School has been really open to experimenting with different media, so we’ve been able to do digital, audio, video and now podcasting.”

The stories featured on the podcast were also packaged for radio listeners and aired in December on CBC Radio’s All in a Weekend.

The stories ranged from the history of spirits at Kahnawà:ke Survival School, the legend of Top Hat Man and the story of a well-known church bell and its impact in the community, to the Kanehsatà:ke Resistance (Oka Crisis), the legacy of residential institutions and the importance of Kanien’kéha names.

“I love that we’re able to bring the students’ stories to life and share them with a CBC audience,” Snell says.

“Some of these are stories you’d never hear otherwise, and you get to hear the voices of youth in Kahnawà:ke. I hope it’s empowering for them to know that people are interested in what they have to say, because they really do have a lot to say and I’m grateful that we can help them use their voices like this.”

Candia Flynn, Grade 8 teacher at KSS, says she loved seeing the collaboration in action.

“Participating in the podcast project with Concordia was an excellent experience,” Flynn shares.

“Students learned more about essential topics for themselves and their community. They also had the opportunity to reach out to community members who could guide them in researching their podcast background information and share first-hand experiences.”

For third-year journalism student Hannah Vogan, working on the project was fulfilling,

“It was gratifying to share all the journalism knowledge and skills I have accumulated at Concordia with the kids,” Vogan says.

“Yet the exchange of knowledge went both ways. It was also a pleasure to learn from the kids: their approach to journalism was fresh and reminded me that journalism can take many vivacious forms. It's not every day we get to tell stories of Kahnawà:ke from such a youthful perspective.”

Impact of partnership

The partnership between KSS and the Department of Journalism’s I3J began in Fall 2022 — a first of its kind in Canada.

It aims to inspire Indigenous youth to consider a career in journalism while simultaneously allowing Concordia journalism students to learn more about the community.

Along with the podcast, the students have produced six digital stories, 14 radio stories, four video stories and a national radio special — all of which have been featured by CBC on its airwaves or website.

The I3J also worked to have the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism program added to the list of degrees offered through Concordia’s Kaié:ri Nikawerá:ke Indigenous Bridging Program.

The program aims to facilitate entry to university studies, giving eligible First Nations, Inuit and Métis students a foundation as they begin their journalism degree.

“What’s great about the bridging option is that students can begin the program full time or part time, and it’s set up so they can get to know other Indigenous students and find community,” Snell explains. “Virtually all of the courses you take will count toward your journalism degree."

Snell adds that she’s proud of the work the partnership has produced.

“I do think it’s a testament to how awesome the students are — the KSS students and our Concordia journalism students,” she says.  

“It gets me emotional at times, to see the enthusiasm and degree of care that our Concordia students bring to this project.  I’m so proud of them — every one of them brings something unique and special to this work and I’m so grateful they were all a part of it. It wouldn’t happen without them.”

With the project now in its seventh cohort of students this term, Snell says she is excited to see the long-term impact of the partnership.

“That’s what this whole project is about, really — planting a seed and hoping it might grow,” she concludes.

“We are just now starting to reach the point where some of the KSS students we’ve worked with might start thinking seriously about careers.  My dream is to see some of them come into the journalism program in the coming years. That’s the impact I’d really love to see down the road.”

Find out more about Concordia’s Department of Journalism and the Institute for Inclusive, Investigative and Innovative Journalism (I3J).  

Listen to the Voices of Kahnawà:ke podcast featured in this story.