The world is full of a lot of hard things these days: war, climate change, political polarization. 

In times like these, it’s easy to feel like what we do doesn’t matter. But, as Margaret Mead said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The truth is The Narwhal wouldn’t exist without the generosity of thousands of readers — people who have decided to do their part to change the world. 

From the beginning, we dreamt of doing something different, of breathing new life into a tired news landscape. No ads, no paywall, no clickbait. Instead, we wanted to focus on in-depth and investigative journalism — the stuff traditional newsrooms were doing less and less of. 

This week that commitment paid off when we were named a finalist for the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s Jackman Award for excellence in journalism for photojournalist Amber Bracken’s work in Wet’suwet’en territory (work for which she was wrongfully arrested and detained by the RCMP).

This is the last image photojournalist Amber Bracken took before she was arrested on Nov. 19 while covering opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project in Wet’suwet’en territory.

Without our members, we wouldn’t be able to invest in sending journalists like Amber to report from remote locations for days and sometimes weeks on end.

But here’s the thing: just two per cent of Narwhal readers are members. And we’ve fallen behind on our membership targets for the year. Will you join the two per cent and become a member of The Narwhal today?

Bonus: for a limited time, we’re offering all new members a copy of our beautiful annual print edition, featuring Amber’s award-nominated coverage, hot off the press!

Our biggest dream for The Narwhal was to redefine what’s possible in the Canadian journalism landscape and to prove that when people come together, anything is possible.  

Last week, many of our new members wrote to say that The Narwhal gives them something to feel hopeful about. 

“What you do is vital and it gives me hope in a time when hope is often hard to come by,” wrote Brian. 

Our members are proof that when you restore the connection between journalists and the public they serve, anything is possible.

Thanks for all you do,

Emma GilchristEditor-in-chief

P.S. We only printed 2,000 copies of our magazine this year, so if you want to lay your hands on one, make sure to become a member today.

The Narwhal’s reporters are telling environment stories you won’t read about anywhere else. Stay in the loop by signing up for our free weekly dose of independent journalism.