MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Shannon Avison
Shannon Avison is an associate professor of Indigenous Journalism and Communication. She teaches an historical survey of Indigenous media in Canada, starting from early publications, through the evolution of radio and television broadcasting, and does a deep dive into the situation today. Her other passions are community relations and community radio. She loves developing projects to give her students hands-on, practical experience in broadcasting and podcasting, including www.CFNUradio.ca and www.pikiskwewin.ca.

Merelda Fiddler-Potter
Merelda Fiddler-Potter is an assistant professor in Indigenous Communications Arts and Indigenous Business and Public Administration at the First Nations University of Canada. She returned to First Nations University of Canada in 2023, after working as both an Executive-in-Residence at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, working and teaching on both the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan campuses. Fiddler-Potter has a PhD. in Public Policy from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, a Master of Arts in Canadian Plains Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Regina. She was also the Dallas W. Smythe Chair in the Department of Journalism at the University of Regina, where in addition to teaching print and broadcast she developed a course on Reconciliation and the Role of the Journalist, for students. Awarded a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Merelda’s research explores the media’s role in helping Canadians learn the truth of our past and present colonial policies and the impact on Indigenous people. She also traces how the media can compel people into action in order to keep reconciliation high on the public agenda. Prior to entering academia, Fiddler-Potter was a current affairs producer and reporter for CBC Saskatchewan, and was recognized regionally and nationally by the Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada for her work with Saskatchewan’s Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women. She also earned nine regional and national Radio and Television News Director Awards, produced numerous regionally and nationally syndicated programs, specials, town hall forums and live broadcasts. Merelda was also part of a group of Indigenous reporters and producers —at the CBC who laid the ground work for the creation of CBC Indigenous. Born and raised in north west Saskatchewan, Merelda Fiddler-Potter is a proud Métis woman, whose ancestors fought in the Red River Resistance and the Battle of Batoche, and whose great, great grandfather, Cyprien Morin, founded her family's hometown.

Kerry Benjoe
Kerry Benjoe is from the Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation. Her journalism career that spans nearly two decades. Her first degree was in English, and she attended the INCA Summer Institute. In 2002, she wrote her first freelance article for Eagle Feather News. Four years later she became the first full-time Indigenous reporter in the Regina Leader-Post’s history. After working there for 13 years, in 2019 she returned to school and received her Master of Journalism degree. In 2021 became CBC Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous Storyteller. She then became managing editor of Eagle Feather News and an editor for The Conversation Canada.

Trish Elliott
Patricia (Trish) Elliott is an award-winning magazine writer and investigative journalist from Regina, Saskatchewan. Her work has appeared in numerous national and international publications, including Saturday Night, Canadian Living, the Toronto Star, the Bangkok Post, CBC online and Canada’s National Observer. She has a BA in history and and MA in media studies from the University of Regina, and a PhD in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Saskatchewan. She is a professor of investigative and community journalism at First Nations University of Canada, where she works toward decolonized media through journalism education.

Will Yuzicapi
William Yuzicapi attended Prairie Broadcast Training Institute in 1989 and completed the internship at CGCY Medicine Hat. His first paid gig was with CJME in Regina. From there it was off to 620 CKCK as midday host and music director. In the early 2000s, Will and Chief DayWalker applied for and were awarded CHXL 95.3FM community radio license. In 2001, Okanese First Nation successfully launched Your All Nation Superstation 95.3 CREEK FM! Will also worked for FOX FM in Yorkton as morning host and program director. In 2023 he guided the launch of CFNU The Stream at First Nations University of Canada, and today serves as a radio teaching mentor and program host.

Nelson Bird
Nelson Bird is the assignment editor at CTV Regina News, and the former anchor, reporter, and producer of “Indigenous Circle” which he hosted for more than 15 years. His first language is English but understand and speaks a limited amount of Cree. Born and raised on Peepeekisis First Nation, is a graduate of the University of Regina and First Nations University with a degree in Journalism and Indigenous Studies and a certificate in Indian Communication Arts. He started with CTV Saskatchewan in 1998 as a video journalist, producer, and anchor person. Over the years he has won numerous regional, national and international awards for his work. Nelson is passionate about covering all issues relating to diversity but has a special knowledge and interest in covering Indigenous issues. He regularly mentors and trains upcoming journalists and conducts motivational speeches at schools and universities. Nelson is very proud of his Indigenous culture and in his spare time, he is a jack-of-all-trades and does everything from plumbing to carpentry. He and his family enjoy living in Regina.

Peter Skinner
Peter Skinner is a former CBC Radio music, documentary and training producer. He worked in radio for 41 years, the last 22 for CBC North in Yellowknife. He is the founding producer of CBC's Tapestry program, and was a writer and producer for Tapestry and its predecessor, Open House. He also produced God’s Own Jukebox (about spiritual music) annually for the Easter long weekend, and a four-part documentary for CBC Radio 2’s Behind The Music called “Dancing To The Northern Lights: 50 Years of the CBC and Northern Music.” As a senior producer for CBC North, he produced the True North Concerts, a showcase of Northern musicians, from 2001 to 2007. He also produced a series of concerts with CBC Radio’s Saturday Night Blues, and single-handedly recorded, mixed and produced dozens of performances by Northern musicians, including Tanya Tagaq, Leela Gilday and The Jerry Cans. He is a winner of a New York Festivals award and a Gabriel award. He is also a musician and a member of the sketch comedy group The Clones.

Amber Bear
Amber Bear is from Stanley Mission and is based in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She graduated from First Nations University in 2022 with a degree in business and public administration and a certificate in Indigenous Journalism and Communication Arts (INJC). She is a reporter for Missinipi (MBC) radio, which has a head office in La Ronge and a broadcast centre in Prince Albert.

Sara Mills
Sara Mills came to Saskatchewan from England on a one-year work visa, but continued to extend her stay as her career at News Talk Radio grew. She went on to become the senior political correspondent, hosted an afternoon talk show and is now the provincial news director for 650 CKOM and 980 CJME.

Tamara Pimentel
Tamara is Métis from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She received a diploma in interactive media arts at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon and has worked as a videographer for CBC in Winnipeg and Iqaluit. Tamara was hired by APTN in 2016 as a camera/editor and is now a video journalist back in Winnipeg.

Lindell Hayewahe
I am a residential school survivor and third generation attendee. I lived on the rez. After high school graduation, I wandered around, academically until 2 kids and a lifetime later--I finally graduated with a BA in English and a INCA Certificate in 2014. I was a computer resource facilitator/ social media manager for a non-profit then turned Nakota Times Editor for Cega Kin Nakota Oyate. Then I walked the plank on band office politics and was picked up lost at sea by Pikiswewin and CFNU! Can you imagine-- Just over a year ago I learned the software, learned how to have a conversation! Now, I am mentoring other students’ journeys in broadcasting. Looking forward to the next part of this journey!

Jason Delesoy
Jason Delesoy is a freelance camera operator and director of photography. "I tell people I haven't had a job in over 20 years, but work too much," he says. Jason has worked on productions across Canada and around the world for Zoot Pictures, Java Post, the National Film Board, and others.

Bruce Spence
I'm the crabby old guy at APTN National News who tries to convince anyone who will listen that this country still belongs to the Indians. I am a veteran multi-media journalist with more than 40 years' experience in newspaper, radio, television, media relations and on-line formats. My news judgement and writing are first class. I have produced radio and television news and current affairs stories, news casts and news specials, authored op-ed newspaper articles, published photographs and edited several Indigenous newspapers. I have taught and managed journalism education programs and led media relations strategies. I can foresee news cycle and political trends and contend with unexpected developments. My superior people skills make me a natural leader and a pleasure to work with. I dedicate my values, judgement and ethics to the betterment of my family, my community and my nation.

Paul Dornstauder
Paul Dornstauder is a CBC Saskatchewan Executive Producer.

Campbell Stevenson
Campbell Stevenson is a journalist with Radio-Canada.