The Nation takes home 10 QCNA awards
Every year around this time I get to say a job well done to all the Nation staff for the great work we’ve done over the past year. Though the writers get all the awards it would not be possible without the rest of the Nation team. Thanks to all for the work you do to make it possible for the Nation not only to survive, but also thrive. The Quebec Community Newspaper Awards shows how well we do our job. We took home 10 awards and five of those were for first place.
Amy German brought in 1st place for Best Sports Story. The judge commented, “Simply terrific! Great page layout, good photos to accompany comprehensive, well-written, well-reported coverage. Good job.”
Will Nicholls came in 2nd in the same category and the judge observed, “This was really a fun read – something you would share over the breakfast table, even if you aren’t a fan. Storytelling was great – great picture stories to compliment – nice work.”
I did a little better winning 1st place in the Bob Phillips award for best editorial (general). The judge said, “Will Nicholls’ editorial is a powerful indictment of the Harper government’s refusal to hold a public enquiry into the disappearance of Aboriginal women across the country. Using both hard facts and the stories of real people, Nicholls doesn’t pull any punches and calls out all those groups who fail to protect Aboriginal women.”
Lyle Stewart competed against me in this category, taking 3rd place. The judge said he “effectively makes the case for how Pierre-Karl Péladeau has not only enflamed the province’s cultural debates but how his influence has allowed him and his businesses to flourish all the while nudging the Parti Québécois well to the right of its traditional ideological home. Taking on such a powerful figure takes courage.”
Whapmagootui’s Sonny Orr received 3rd place for Best Column Writing. The judge said, “There were some spectacular columns and the breadth of issues covered was impressive and to be hoped for. The top three, in my estimation, best and most creatively served their readers.”
Jessie Staniforth got 2nd place in the Best Business Story. The judge said, “A well told story of a tooth-and-nail struggle to hold on to an opportunity and create a successful business venture with steadfast determination, the story of real self-made First Nation businessman. Great job.”
Staniforth also took 1st place for Best Arts and Entertainment Story with an article titled Goose Wings. “This is a charming story told from a local angle, but with national breadth,” wrote the judge. “It documents a little known chapter in our cultural history while announcing that ‘lost’ recordings will be available again. The writing is engaging and solid. Subject voices are captured with grounded authenticity. The layout and photographs are entirely appropriate and support the text very well.”
Next up was Best Education Story: Andi Christine Bednarzig took 1st place. Judges said, “There is some very good writing in this piece. I really liked how the author wove the stories of individual students and their experiences in between information about the program. I felt, as a reader, as if I was in the community, seeing what was happening first-hand. One thing that would have made this piece stronger, is more on what the drawbacks can be if you take on this type of work. This is mentioned in the piece, but it would have been more well-rounded, and ultimately interesting, to explore what life is like for people who have to leave the community for periods of time to work.”
It’s not only the stories that the Nation excels at. Anne Tremblay won 1st place for Best Advertising Creation. The judge said, “Excellent clear layout, very well done piece. Congrats, the client must have been thrilled.”
Richard Lawson took 2nd place in the same field with the judge remarking, “Great ad. I would have liked to see the logo in the top right slightly larger and a bit clearer. Otherwise well done.”
Great job and thanks to everyone including our readers for making this possible. I couldn’t be prouder.