Indigenous Editorial Fellow

About The Narwhal

The Narwhal is an award-winning online magazine that publishes in-depth and investigative journalism about the natural world in Canada. 

Think of us as part newsroom, part non-profit and part startup. As a non-profit, reader-funded news organization, our goal isn’t to sell advertising or to please corporate bigwigs — it’s to bring evidence-based news and analysis to the surface for our readers. We’re part of a revolution in public-interest journalism that is reinvigorating the relationship between readers and the journalists who work on their behalf — and we want you to join us.

The storytellers in any society hold tremendous power. At The Narwhal, we recognize that this power represents both a privilege and a responsibility and we aim to use this power for the public good. The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from communities traditionally underrepresented in this field. 

About the fellowship

Location: Remote, anywhere in Canada; we have offices in Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto

Hours: 30 hours, four (4) days per week

Salary: $30.77 per hour ($60,000/year FTE)

Type: Temporary, 12-week contract

Deadline: April 25, 2025 (11:59 PM PT)

Start date: June 2, 2025

Working with The Narwhal’s editorial team, the Indigenous editorial fellow will be responsible for fact checking stories, with a special emphasis on stories regarding Indigenous Rights, Indigenous-led conservation, and other reporting that involves Indigenous communities in Canada. As these stories are complex and culturally sensitive, the fellow will learn and apply an understanding of the style principles, histories and cultural contexts important for accurate, ethical environmental journalism about and for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Canada.

This is a part-time, three-month fellowship that will provide one applicant with the opportunity to gain experience in an award-winning newsroom and develop their instincts and abilities as an editor and journalist. This fellowship is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants, or Native American tribal members and descendants who are living and working in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Attending weekly editorial meetings
• Working with other members of the editorial team, including the senior editor and the assistant editor, to prepare stories for copy-editing and publication
• Identifying culturally-relevant sources for checking Indigenous-focused stories
• Reviewing the facts of each story by contacting sources by phone and email, reviewing referenced documents and confirming the accuracy of evaluative claims
• Ensuring stories are accurate in regard to the Indigenous communities, languages and histories referenced, for example by checking preferences regarding titles and names or reviewing use of language and culturally-specific terms for appropriateness
• Reading stories for bias or missing context, to ensure that Indigenous communities are represented fairly and respectfully
• Noting any changes required for the editors in checked copies of stories
• Contributing to The Narwhal’s house style guide
• Participating in trainings offered by members of The Narwhal team regarding fact-checking, editing and story-development processes
• Other editorial responsibilities as required

Qualifications

As a Canada Summer Jobs position, this opportunity is open to Indigenous youth (First Nations, Métis, Inuit or Native American) who are living and working in Canada and meet all of the following criteria:

• Between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment period *
• A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person with refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act **
• Has a valid Social Insurance Number and is legally entitled to work in Canada

We’re looking for someone who has: 

• Graduated high school or completed an equivalent diploma
• Excellent writing skills
• A sincere interest in working in journalism and media
• Awareness and a complex understanding of Indigenous issues
• Willingness to make phone calls to sources
• Strong commitment to reconciliation, diversity, inclusion and equity

Nice to have: 

• Completed or working towards a post-secondary diploma or degree in journalism, media studies, communications, English or a related discipline
• Experience in a newsroom or media organization

* You need to be 15 to 30 years old when the job starts. 

** Unfortunately, international students aren’t eligible due to the program rules. 

We offer the following benefits

• A flexible workplace with a vibrant, collaborative culture
• Work-from-home stipend or an opportunity to work from a shared office in Victoria, Vancouver, or Toronto
• 8% vacation pay
• 10 personal days per year
• Benefits are subject to change at any time at the discretion of The Narwhal.

When it comes to compensation, research shows wide disparities in how candidates negotiate, which is partially responsible for wage gaps between groups of people. At The Narwhal, we have a transparent and competitive salary grid for our entire team. We developed this approach because we wanted to remove the guesswork around compensation and put everyone on an equal footing. The posted salary is in line with our grid and is not negotiable. 

How to apply 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé by Friday, April 25, at the latest, via BambooHR. 

In your cover letter, please tell us why specifically you want to work at The Narwhal and what from your previous experience makes you a good fit for this role.

The successful applicant will clearly demonstrate why they’re passionate about accurate, thoughtful and respectful journalism — especially when it comes to reporting on Indigenous communities, rights and leadership. We’d love to hear about any past experience you have in journalism, editing, fact-checking or storytelling and what draws you to this fellowship.

We recognize that editing and fact-checking are skills that can be developed, and we encourage applications from folks who are eager to learn and grow. This role is especially well-suited for someone who wants to deepen their understanding of Indigenous style and culturally-responsible reporting, while contributing to an award-winning newsroom.

Not sure what The Narwhal is all about? Sign up for our newsletter to get the inside track on what we report and why. Get familiar with our storytelling prior to applying to make sure this is the right role for you. If you wonder whether you’re the right fit for this fellowship or have questions before you fill out the application, email us at hiring@thenarwhal.ca. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. This position is intended for Indigenous youth, and we welcome applications from Indigenous candidates who also identify as 2SLGBTQ+, are multiracial, live with disabilities, or come from low-income communities.

Disability-related accommodations are available for candidates taking part in our hiring process. We will ask candidates selected for an interview about any accessibility needs ahead of the scheduled interview.

What to expect

• Selected candidates will be invited to a first-round phone screen interview in late April
• Following that, there will be a panel interview on Zoom in early May
• Finalists will be given a short paid assignment to complete 
• There may be a second interview or a request for references 
• Candidates will meet a mix of team members during the interview process