The Narwhal snags six nominations in 2021 National Magazine Awards

The Narwhal has been nominated for six 2021 National Magazine Awards, which celebrate excellence in artistry and writing in Canadian publications. 

The nominations place The Narwhal in the top ranks of all finalists, a list topped by print publications The Walrus, Maclean’s and Toronto Life. 

From more than 1,000 entries from 160 publications across the country, The Narwhal snagged nominations for feature writing, investigative journalism and photography.

“Our small team is so honoured to be recognized among the heavyweights of the Canadian magazine industry just a few days before our third birthday,” said The Narwhal’s co-founder and editor-in-chief, Emma Gilchrist. “As a non-profit online magazine, these nominations are especially meaningful and are a testament to the support of our readers.”

Photojournalist Aaron Vincent Elkaim’s harrowing work to document the impacts of hydro development in remote Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba was selected as an individual nominee highlight for being a finalist in both the portrait and photo essay and photojournalism categories. 

Amber Bracken also earned a photo essay and photojournalism nomination for her documentary work of the 2020 RCMP arrests of Wet’suwet’en land defenders in British Columbia as well as a nod in the portrait photography category for her work to document individuals working to restore Alberta’s native grasslands. 

Jimmy Thomson’s deep dive into workplace abuse within the trawl fishery is nominated for best investigative reporting. Thomson’s feature was based on a tip from a reader of The Narwhal and relied on the bravery of whistleblowers in the sector.

Journalist Lindsay Jones’ in-depth feature on the role of small family woodlot owners in the preservation and restoration of the Acadian forests in New Brunswick, which is accompanied by photography from Darren Calabrese, is nominated for best feature.

The National Magazine Award nominations come in the midst of a swirl of accolades for The Narwhal, including 10 nominations from the Digital Publishing Awards and nine nominations from the Canadian Association of Journalists, the second-most of any news organization in the country.

With just eight editorial staff, The Narwhal’s nominations are a demonstration of what small, independent publications are accomplishing across Canada.

In late 2020, The Narwhal helped to launch Press Forward, a new association of independent media. Fellow members The Tyee, The Local and The Sprawl all received National Magazine Award nominations on Thursday as well. 

“If you’re looking for signs of hope on Canada’s media landscape, look no further than Canada’s digital innovators,” Gilchrist said. “These publications are reinvigorating the relationship between journalists and their audiences, creating new business models and award-winning journalism in the process.”