TED recognized with 18 awards
File photo
The Eastern Door had another strong showing at the Quebec Community Newspapers Association (QCNA) Awards, earning 18 nominations, including five first-place wins.
The QCNAs recognize the best in English-language community journalism in the province.
“When it comes to great journalism that happens right here in Kahnawake, I always try to remind people that we’re lucky to have a free press,” said editor/publisher Steve Bonspiel.
“These awards are important because it shows all the hard work we’re doing is recognized by other people, people with no connection or sometimes no clue about Kahnawake. We’re showing year after year that we can compete with anybody,” he added.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing - our jobs for the community first and foremost - and it gets recognized.”
Lead journalist Eve Cable was recognized with two first-place wins and four more finalist prizes, including a photo nomination. She won Best News Story for her coverage of an anonymous social media account targeting local women and Best Feature Story for her piece relating to the child welfare system, which also won silver in the Community Written Feature category at the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) awards.
“Winning Best News and Best Feature was special because both of those categories have really strong nominees from newspapers across Quebec,” said Cable, who was also on a panel at the day’s events.
“We have a really solid base of reporters right now, and QCNA weekend left us all with strong ideas about how to keep growing our reach,” she said.
Kahnawa’kehró:non photographer Martin Akwiranoron Loft also won a first-place prize, taking home Best Photo Essay for his work at this year’s Remembrance Day event.
“I’m proud of the collaborations we have with amazing people like Martin Loft, who was able to submit his photos and get a huge award out of it,” said Bonspiel.
The Eastern Door also won Best Feature Page for a behind-the-scenes look at the new Kanatahkwèn:ke Cultural Arts Center in Kahnawake and Best Website.
“Journalism is a team sport, and I’m so proud of the team we have at The Eastern Door. Our journalists work so hard every week to try and serve the community the best way we can,” said managing editor Marcus Bankuti, a finalist in four categories.
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“The QCNAs are a chance to take a breath and celebrate the work we’re privileged to do, but also to reflect on the standard this newspaper has set for many years,” he said. “I think striving to live up to that legacy makes us better.”
