Nunatsiaq News up for 9 community newspaper awards

Nunatsiaq News has been shortlisted for nine awards from the Quebec Community Newspaper Association’s 2021 Better Newspaper Contest.

This year’s nominations range from news writing, investigative reporting and feature writing to photography, page layout and web design.

Reporter Dustin Patar is up for best news story, for a story on the collapse of Nunavut’s Milne Ice Shelf. He’s also a finalist for best feature photo, for an image he shot of a lone Christmas tree outdoors in Iqaluit against the backdrop of the northern lights.

Reporter Sarah Rogers has been nominated for the best investigative reporting award for her work on the frustrations of a Sixties Scoop survivor over settlement delays.

Rogers is also nominated for best feature story, for her story on the first Nunavik resident to die from COVID-19, and the travails of her family who had to wait a month to bury her.

Emma Tranter, a former Nunatsiaq News reporter who is now working for The Canadian Press, is also up for best feature, for her article on Larry Audlaluk’s memoir about his family’s forced relocation from northern Quebec to the High Arctic.

Senior reporter Jane George has been nominated for best environmental story, for her article on several beached bowhead whales that appeared to have been fleeing killer whale attacks.

The newspaper’s managing editor, Corey Larocque, is up for best arts and entertainment story, for a story on how Iqaluit singer-songwriter Aasiva found inspiration by playing the ukulele.

Nunatsiaq.com, which recently received another revamp, has been shortlisted for the prize for best website. And the newspaper’s virtual edition is up for best front page.

The QCNA will announce winners during its annual general meeting in June.