The Narwhal has once again received national — and international — recognition for stunning storytelling and photography, with four awards last week.

The recognition includes a first-place finish at the Indigenous Media Awards, a gold and a silver at the Digital Publishing Awards and a silver at the National Magazine Awards.

The award-winning stories share a common thread: deep, on-the-ground reporting from remote Indigenous communities, brought to life through intimate storytelling and gorgeous photography.

“Since our humble beginnings just seven years ago, The Narwhal has worked hard to build trust in Indigenous communities, to allow us to do this type of deep reporting and beautiful storytelling,” executive editor Denise Balkissoon said. “We are grateful to the nations and people who shared their stories with us for these award-winning articles and photo essays.”

“Thanks also to the judges for agreeing that The Narwhal still sets itself apart by investing in hard-to-access stories that would otherwise go untold,” Balkissoon added. “None of it would be possible without the more than 7,000 members who regularly contribute to this work.”

Freelance reporter Jimmy Thomson and photojournalist Gavin John spent three days travelling across Montana and southern Alberta to tell the story of the Blackfeet guardians who are working to restore buffalo to the landscape. On Thursday, the Indigenous Journalists Association gave their article the first place award for best feature story in its division.

‘We’re just getting started’: from Alberta to Montana, Blackfeet guardians hope to bring back the buffalo jump

That same article, which was edited by senior editor Michelle Cyca and managing editor Sharon Riley, won silver for the best feature article at the Digital Publishing Awards on Friday. 

Also at the Digital Publishing Awards, Manitoba-based photojournalist Tim Smith took the gold for best photo storytelling, for capturing the story of five Cree nations who are working together to conserve traditional lands. Smith and Manitoba reporter Julia-Simone Rutgers spent nearly a week in remote northern Manitoba to tell that story, published by The Narwhal in partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press. In total, The Narwhal was a finalist in nine categories at the Digital Publishing Awards.

Devastated by Manitoba Hydro, five Cree nations are working together to conserve traditional lands

Meanwhile, Amber Bracken’s intimate portraits of residents of Fort Chipewyan, Alta., took home silver for the best photojournalism at the National Magazine Awards. Bracken’s photo essay shared the hopes and fears of those living downstream of oilsands tailings ponds — after revelations of industrial wastewater leaks infiltrating groundwater.

The fight for life downstream of Alberta’s tailings ponds — full of arsenic, mercury and lead

“This story represents some of the things that I value most in journalism, including working with a talented, caring and invested team — and also having sustained interest and sustained coverage of issues that affect people’s everyday lives,” Bracken said.

“It’s not always easy to get to the community of Fort Chipewyan, and it means a lot to me that The Narwhal stood behind me to make a repeat visit and to try to tell these stories.”

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.