Announcing TWO Uncharted grant recipients; next grant period opens
It’s a series of firsts for the Uncharted Journalism Fund.
For the first time in the initiative’s short history, the trustees are dividing the cash prize between two projects.
For the first time, Uncharted is funding a personal photo essay, one with broad implications for addiction in our communities.
For the first time, Uncharted is partially funding a work of literary nonfiction with an 8-page “graphic novel within a story.”
The former is a project conceived of by photographer Jackie Dives.
The latter is a project conceived of by reporter Christopher Pollon working with artist Daniel Lafrance.
The photo essay is about the recent overdose death of the photographer’s father.
“I’m very excited to be able to move forward with this project,” said Dives, “as the current condition of the overdose crisis in Canada is in need of a lot more attention and care. I hope that my photo series will help show the people behind the statistics, and bring us closer to understanding the nuances of addiction.”
Dives is an experienced photographer who has worked with a variety of publications and who has previously photographed aspects of the opioid epidemic for Maclean’s and Vice.
The other project, the work of literary non-fiction with the short graphic novel, will tell the story of a First Nation community at the epicentre of a significant resource play.
“Through the eyes of the people most affected by the destruction,” said Pollon, “I will explore a century-long David vs. Goliath struggle to preserve their land and culture, and how an unprecedented legal case (and growing appetite to take the law into their own hands) promises to save the last remaining sacred places.
“The story presents a glaring example of how Canada’s long-promised reconciliation with First Nations remains elusive.”
Pollon has more than 15 years experience reporting from remote First Nations communities, writing about all the industries (mining, hydro, forestry oil and gas, etc.) that are present in these traditional territories. He publishes regularly in The Walrus and The Tyee.
“While these projects may appear to be quite different,” said Phillip Smith, one of the founding trustees of the Uncharted Journalism Fund, “they share a desire to tell complicated stories about broad issues in accessible ways using unique approaches. We’re proud to support both and are excited to see the results.”
Application period opens
The Uncharted Journalism Fund will start accepting applications Jan. 31 for its next grant to encourage adventurous journalism initiatives in or about British Columbia.
The deadline to submit an application is Mar. 31 at midnight.
Applicants can apply online. Before doing so, we recommend reviewing these Frequently Asked Questions.
The Uncharted Journalism Fund: Chet Woodside, Phillip Smith, Alex Samur, Giselle Portenier, Erin Millar, Mark Hamilton, John Gray, Geoff D’Auria, and David Beers as well as Stuart Sutton-Jones and Mary Lynn Young.
