Merv TFN-Media-Kit-and-Rate-Card
Welcome to Treaty 4 News’s on-line edition treaty4news.com
Last summer, I was daydreaming on my motorcycle between Saskatoon and Regina on my way to a Saskatchewan Roughrider football game.
I was thinking about my career and the places I worked.
Some were better than others but the jobs where I always felt the most passion were the ones that never made me feel I was working for a living.
I needed to shake things up!
I needed to find the fire and passion once again.
Early in my career, I wrote for the Edmonton Journal.
One day, I realized they were paying me to talk to people on the phone, keep a warm cup of coffee on my desk, read a newspaper, travel around the city to attend news conferences and write stories about my daily adventures.
That was the best job ever!
I have always held a huge appreciation for the newspaper business and the reporters who wrote for the publications.
Suddenly, as I rounded the corner passing Davidson, I came up with the idea to start my own newspaper.
I got so excited, I cracked open the throttle and before you knew it I was in Chamberlain eating ice cream.
When I got home after the game, I started to really think about the idea and wondered if there was room for another newspaper and website as there is quite a bit of competition out there.
But I remembered the competitive newspaper environment in Edmonton and how much fun it was to beat another publication to a story.
Competition not only makes for a better newspaper but it makes you work a lot harder as a reporter.
I want to publish a community style newspaper and website with stories about First Nation people living in the communities that will focus on their achievements, challenges and the things they do to make their communities better places to live.
The newspaper and website should also be a place where Elders, leadership and young people can voice their opinions on important matters that affect their daily lives.
Just like the stories the Saskatchewan Indian published in the 1970’s and 80’s.
The writers and photographers contributing to the newspaper are from Treaty 4 communities and have connections with friends and families on the reserves.
The columnists include Delaney Windigo from Muskowekwan, Wavell Starr from Starblanket, Nelson Bird from Peepeekisis and Stephanie Whitecloud-Brass from Standing Buffalo.
I hope to add to this list.
I’m a graduate of the Indian Communications Arts (INCA) program at the First Nations University.
I also have a Journalism and Communications degree from the University of Regina’s School of Journalism.
I stay in contact with both programs and continue to meet and work with numerous other Treaty 4 journalists.
There is a wealth of talent out there and that’s why I invite writers, photographers and storytellers to send me your stories and pictures.
Also, for advertisers, treaty4news.com offers some great advertising rates.
If you have a business, community event or an important announcement to make let treaty4news.com help you with all your advertising needs.
I’m pretty excited to get back in the news business and travel throughout the Treaty 4 Territory.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming months.
Mervin Brass
Publisher/Editor
Treaty 4 News
