The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has appointed Lenard Monkman as the inaugural recipient of the CJF Indigenous Health Journalism Fellowship. This campaign hopes to elevate Indigenous perspectives and draw attention to urgent health concerns impacting Indigenous people in communities from coast to coast to coast. Monkman first participated in the CJF Indigenous Journalism Fellowship in 2017. Now, he will draw upon his deep bonds with these communities to produce innovative and impactful journalism.
Monkman’s next project, he said, will draw attention to the shocking rates of HIV among Indigenous people in Western Canada. For his research, he’ll continue to work with CBC Manitoba, which he hopes to further develop as a partnership. Collectively, they’ll produce a long-form, interactive journalistic story, along with a short-form video documentary, both due in late 2026. His work will consider critical healthcare-system issues and jurisdictional barriers that limit Indigenous individuals’ access to healthcare and harm reduction services.
This is why this project is so big. With respect to criminalization, Manitoba has the second highest rate of HIV cases per 100,000 people in Canada, just behind Saskatchewan. Monkman’s intent is to approach this public health crisis with sensitivity and depth, creating a foundation for compassion and understanding.
“Lenard first participated in our CJF Indigenous Journalism Fellowship program in 2017 as an emerging journalist. It has been just as extraordinary to see his development lead the way for hundreds of young Canadians in journalism since then,” said Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director of CJF. His longstanding ties to Indigenous communities and his passion for the power of transformative storytelling embodies the spirit of his fellowship — and creates the perfect journalist to kickstart this vital fellowship.
Over the course of this research, Monkman will be working in the Traditional Territories and ancestral lands of many Nations. These include the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations. He will live-tweet from the Homeland of the Red River Métis. For the first time, he’ll be visiting lands that have long-standing stewardship by Inuit communities.
The CJF’s whole passion to support Indigenous journalism is clearly rooted in this fellowship. Dr. Joss Reimer, President of the Canadian Medical Association, remarked, “Our support for this fellowship reflects our promise to uphold Indigenous practices and amplify Indigenous voices and storytelling to influence government and policymakers to advance Indigenous health and well-being.”
By using her project as an artistic framework, Monkman always intended to shine a light on an all-too-rarely discussed public health crisis. Connie Walker, chair of the selection committee, noted, “The ongoing HIV crisis in First Nations’ communities is a critical health issue that needs further investigation, so Lenard’s reporting has the potential to be a vital piece of public interest journalism.”
Beyond his new fellowship project, Monkman has a long history of artistic endeavors centered on Indigenous content. He was a key member of the team awarded an RTDNA Award for Excellence in Innovation. This award was for CBC’s “Beyond 94” project in 2019. His experience includes all types of storytelling from news articles to panel discussions, video games to digital/television products.
The CJF will honor Monkman at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. His appointment as the first fellow reflects a broader commitment to excellence in journalism while promoting diverse perspectives and fostering crucial conversations within society.
