Overview

“I was very much looking forward to the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture, but sometimes Creator just says no, and there’s nothing to be done about it.”  

IndigiNews publisher Eden Fineday, this year’s Annual Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture speaker was gutted when she realized that getting COVID-19 meant she’d have to cancel her trip to Ottawa. Guests, faculty, community members and students were all disappointed to learn it just wasn’t going to happen. 

But the show will go on, with a new date: Tuesday February 9, 2027. 

The Background

Indigenous Journalism as a Force for Change 

Eden Fineday is a nêhiyaw (Cree) journalist from Sweetgrass First Nation in Treaty 6 territory and the publisher of IndigiNews, an award-winning Indigenous-led newsroom. She is the CEO and co-founder of tâpwêwin media, a national Indigenous media nonprofit that became the home of IndigiNews in 2025.  

With clear-eyed commitment, Eden prioritizes cultural safety in her newsroom and in relationship with community. Speaking with a graduate student at the School of Journalism, Eden emphasized the importance of providing an encouraging environment, especially for Indigenous women. 

“When you’re an Indigenous woman in Canada, you learn pretty early that you’re not valuable, that your life doesn’t have the same value as other Canadians,” she said.  

“We have to be a soft place for people to land. We highly respect Indigenous women, we know how badass and how kickass they are because in our communities, Indigenous women do everything.” 

Aligning with Mary Ann 

Eden’s approach continues the legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the lecture series’ namesake. The first Black woman publisher in North America and first solo woman publisher in Canada, Mary Ann Shadd Cary broke barriers by founding The Provincial Freeman in 1853. The lecture series honours her pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to supporting and advancing Black communities, education, and women’s rights through journalism. Each year, leading women and non-binary journalists from historically under- and mis-represented communities – like Eden – share their stories and expertise. 

The Rollout

Our Goal: $10,000  

This lecture series is the only one named after a woman at The School, and the only one that is not endowed. By helping us reach our $10,000 goal, you will contribute to ensuring future generations of journalists have the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who represent the full spectrum of Canadian society. Your support will: 

• Support a meaningful event that celebrates diversity in journalism

• Fund an accompanying practical workshop for students in the journalism program 

• Create a platform for discussing pressing issues in media representation 

• Hire students to collaborate in the organization of the event 

• Honour the legacy of a remarkable Canadian pioneer 

The Impact

Make History With Us 

We invite alumni, friends of the University, and champions of inclusive journalism to join us in making the Mary Ann Shadd Cary Lecture Series a reality. Your contribution will help shape the future of Canadian journalism, ensuring that diverse voices are heard, respected, and amplified for years to come. 

Together, we can build on Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s vision, creating a more inclusive and just media landscape that truly represents all Canadians.