A New Chapter: Indigenous-Owned Firm Revives 120-Year-Old B.C. Newspaper
Historic B.C. newspaper finds new life under Indigenous leadership in a move that blends tradition, community, and media resurgence. This Indigenous-owned newspaper acquisition represents a significant step forward for the publication.
When a 120-year-old newspaper in British Columbia faced an uncertain future, a bold rescue came not from a media conglomerate. Instead, it came from a local Indigenous-owned corporation. The acquisition marks a milestone in cultural reclamation and media representation. It also signals a shift toward a more inclusive storytelling future.
A Historic Buy Signals a Cultural Revival
In an inspiring move that blends legacy with leadership, the Prince Rupert Northern View—one of British Columbia’s longest-running newspapers—has been acquired by the Nisga’a Growth Corporation, a business arm of the Nisga’a Nation. The acquisition, announced earlier this week, preserves more than just ink on paper; it safeguards over a century of community journalism. Moreover, it re-centers Indigenous voices in Canadian media.
The paper, first published in the early 1900s, has long served the North Coast communities. It offers local news, Indigenous affairs, and coastal economy coverage. Now, under new Indigenous ownership, it’s poised to deepen its roots. Furthermore, it aims to embrace a digital-forward future.
“This is more than a business transaction—it’s a statement about who gets to tell the stories,” said Eva Clayton, President of the Nisga’a Lisims Government. “It’s about reclaiming space in the narrative of our own territories.”
Why This Moment Matters: Context and Cultural Impact
An Industry in Flux
The newspaper industry in Canada has faced stark challenges in recent years. According to News Media Canada, more than 450 local news outlets have closed since 2008. Many of them were serving rural or Indigenous communities. The purchase by the Nisga’a Growth Corporation bucks this trend—demonstrating not just survival, but renewal.
For Indigenous communities, this acquisition represents more than economic development. It’s about sovereignty in storytelling, ensuring that narratives about Indigenous life, governance, and innovation are shaped by Indigenous voices. They won’t be filtered through external lenses.
Expert Insight & Local Response
Dr. Candis Callison, Associate Professor at UBC’s School of Journalism and a Tahltan Nation member, sees the move as both symbolic and strategic:
“Media ownership plays a direct role in representation. When Indigenous communities control the outlet, they control the message—and that’s a powerful form of self-determination.”
Community members have welcomed the change with optimism. “We’ve seen our stories ignored or misrepresented,” says resident and entrepreneur Marie Wesley. “This feels like a turning point, a platform for our youth and elders alike.”
What’s Next: Vision for the Future
The new ownership plans to expand the newspaper’s digital presence. It also plans to introduce language revitalization segments and offer journalism internships to Indigenous youth. Additionally, a special editorial board—comprised of community leaders and storytellers—is in the works.
The move aligns with broader trends across Canada, where Indigenous entrepreneurs are investing in media, fashion, and tech. This investment aims to reclaim cultural identity and drive economic progress.
A Living Legacy, Rewritten by Its People
As Indigenous communities across the country push for equity, representation, and cultural renaissance, the acquisition of The Northern View is both a symbolic and strategic win. It ensures that the next chapter of B.C.’s North Coast will be written not just about Indigenous peoples—but by them.
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