What began as an idea to engage youth in creative skill-building and local journalism turned into a transformative eight-week journey for 15 young participants. The initiative was made possible through a collaboration between NACTV, the Neepawa Settlement’s SWIS program, and a generous grant from the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation. Together, these partners launched a pilot youth training program that provided more than just technical skills—it gave participants a voice and a platform to share their perspectives.
For many of the youth, it was their first time behind a camera or editing footage. They learned how to craft stories, conduct interviews, and write like journalists. Sessions were led by dedicated mentors: NACTV staff shared their expertise in video production, Don Walmsley taught the art of interviewing, and writers from the Neepawa Banner introduced the fundamentals of article writing and journalism.
The program came to life through strong community support. The Beautiful Plains Community Foundation funded essential equipment such as cameras, microphones, and facilitator honoraria. The Neepawa Settlement provided a welcoming space, snacks, and encouragement to ensure every participant felt included and supported.
By the end of the program, 12 of the 15 youth successfully completed the training. Even more rewarding, several expressed interest in volunteering with NACTV and asked if the program would return next year.
This pilot project not only taught valuable media and communication skills—it empowered young people to tell their own stories and connect more deeply with their community. The Neepawa community can be proud of what this program achieved and excited about the possibilities that come from continuing to invest in local youth.
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About LJI
LJI Impact is the section of commediaportal.ca where the journalists and their organizations participating in CACTUS' Local Journalism Initiative can share their greatest successes.
Through the written stories, photos and videos you see in the LJI Impact section, you'll be able to read first hand accounts about how the presence of a community journalist is making a difference in communities across Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative and the Community Media Portal.
The Community Media Portal is a gateway to the audio-visual media created by community media centres across Canada. These include traditional community TV and radio stations, as well as online and new media production centres.
Community media are not-for-profit production hubs owned and operated by the communities they serve, established both to provide local content and reflection for their communities, as well as media training and access for ordinary citizens to the latest tools of media production, whether traditional TV and radio, social and online media, virtual reality, augmented reality or video games.
The Community Media Portal has been funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (the LJI) of the Department of Canadian Heritage, and administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) in association with the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec (the Fédération). Under the LJI, over 100 journalists have been placed in underserved communities and asked to produce civic content that underpins Canadian democratic life.
