2024 Year-In-Review: Reporters’ Choice

With 2024 coming to a close, we wanted to take a moment to look back at the year and discuss the biggest stories that impacted our community. On December 31, we will be releasing a list of the most-read stories but for this article, we wanted to give our reporters a chance to share the stories that they wanted to highlight.

When it comes to being a news reporter, you tend to wear many different hats. One day, you will be covering a court case, meaning you have to learn all about that specific crime and the legal proceedings surrounding it. The next day, you may be interviewing the Mayor of the city about a new construction project. With all of the varying types of stories we covered in 2024, here is what impacted our reports the most this year.

Caitlin: Hudson’s Hope Water Treatment Plant

I moved up to the Peace River region in May of this year from Charlottetown, P.E.I., and it has been an amazing journey learning about the Peace River region and the people who live here.

The most memorable series of stories I had the honour of reporting on this year were those relating to the Hudson’s Hope water treatment plant surrounding BC Hydro’s Site C Hydroelectric Dam project.

When writing these stories, I spoke with politicians, representatives from BC Hydro, and also attended events organized by Hudson’s Hope residents including a roadside demonstration for the importance of clean drinking water.

Getting the opportunity to drive to Hudson’s Hope, speak with residents and experience local opinion was an amazing experience for me, and I hope I helped make a difference in their situation with my coverage of the incident.

Ed: Indigenous Voices Reporting

In my first year as a reporter covering the lives, trials and tribulations of First Nations communities, I never expected my life to be impacted the way it has been as 2024 draws to a close.

As someone who grew up in Eastern Canada, First Nations were not necessarily at the forefront of my upbringing. Yes, the Indigenous influence was there growing up (I grew up in Brampton, Ontario, the traditional lands of Haudenosaunee, Wednat Nation, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations, and our largest park in town was called Chinguacousy, named after the late Anishinaabe Chief, Shingwauk) but similar to the history books I learned from, it seemed like a distant memory.  My perception changed dramatically since I moved north to Fort St. John, and learned about the rich history the Treaty 8 Nations have in this area.

Since moving here, it has been a rollercoaster ride, seeing different First Nations thrive in what is arguably the most prominent in modern times for the Indigenous community.  

Covering events such as the groundbreaking of Naache Commons to the Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow in Taylor or the Reawakening of our Language event at North Lights College has been a fantastic experience.

Doig Days was an incredible day, and seeing the looks on Elders’ faces as they appreciated how it had grown in size brought a warm feeling to my heart. The experience of interacting with Gerry Attachie and Margaret Davis was truly enjoyable.  To see hundreds of grade school children learning history, artifacts, drumming and culture was remarkable.

I’ve also seen the unveiling of a display case at North Peace Secondary School, where First Nations donated written material and handcrafted pieces from Halfway River, Doig River, The Métis Nation and Blueberry River First Nations.

Halfway River Chief Darlene Hunter has represented northeast BC at the United Nation’s climate change summit, COP 29 in Azerbaijan, and Doig River First Nation Chief Trevor Makadahay has been a keynote speaker during Truth and Reconciliation Day with the B.C. Chamber of Commerce.

I’ve also reported on the continued issues with Blueberry River, which are complicated and layered with many moving parts.  I hope they can pull through for the betterment of the community.

Max: Homelessness

The story that had the most impact on me was covering the issue of homelessness in the city. It felt like the most controversial topic that I covered, and I was nervous that I would get backlash for covering it. Instead, I felt like I was abiding by the principles of journalism, bringing light to an issue concerning the community, doing what I could to raise awareness, and seeing action being taken by City Council to address the issue. 

I was able to report on the issue through several events, notable legislation passed, interviews and more. 

Reporting on the issue also gave me the chance to address how I personally feel about the issue. 

Steve: Wildfires

Coming to the North Peace from southeastern Ontario, one of the big culture shocks for me was wildfire season. We didn’t get wildfires like that back home – it was always too humid. Just weeks after I arrived here and got settled, Fort Nelson was evacuated and our community had to host hundreds of new faces. Working to make sure our coverage of the situation – including frequent interviews with figures like Northern Rockies Mayor Rob Fraser and then-MLA Dan Davies – was one of my first major projects here at Energeticcity.ca. The experience has stuck with me, it taught me a lot about how to handle coverage of emergency situations like that in the future.

Only two months after I started working here, I was asked to step in as Interim News Director for Energeticcity.ca. I’ve never been a manager in any capacity before at any prior jobs, so the last few months have been an enormous learning experience for me. I wouldn’t have had the confidence to step into this position without an incredible team of writers to work with, or all the other people in the office to help make sure everything runs smoothly from day to day.

I’m still a few months out from having lived in the north for a full year, but it already feels like home. Even the cold of the winter up here is more familiar than daunting. The people here are the friendliest I’ve ever lived with and I’m really happy that I get to spend my days working and living here now. Thank you to everyone here in Fort St. John for the warm welcome.