Tanner Isaac – Entertaining and Educating Today’s Youth

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Listuguj’s Tanner Isaac is no stranger when it comes to the media and has a lot of experience with it at an educational level, and a personal level.   Isaac’s family has been in the media for over a decade, since Isaac’s brother, Chris Metallic went missing in November 2012 while attending Mount Alison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Isaac graduated from Algonquin College in Ottawa for TV Broadcasting. He was employed at the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s Communication department as a summer student, producing videos and articles for the Wi’gatign. He worked for APTN’s radio station 95.9 Elmnt FM in Ottawa. He has an impressive social media following with 31.0K followers on TikTok. Most recently, Isaac was a recipient of an Indigenous Journalist Fellowship with CJF and CBC, where he was sent to work with CBC Indigenous in Winnipeg for one month as an Associate Producer and Journalist.

Over the years, Isaac expressed his dissatisfaction with the media when it comes to twisting words for his missing brother’s case. When he applied for the fellowship, he spoke about his brother a lot. He stated a lot of information that went out to the public was not accurate. Some sources did not get the correct information or permission which caused his family great hardship. Originally when applying for the fellowship, Isaac expressed his intention of covering missing Indigenous person cases. Once he was accepted for the fellowship, he realized he had become a little more sensitive to these topics. Isaac said, “It makes me emotional to relive it with other families.” He decided to go in a new direction and cover the Indigenous entertainment industry.

“I’m trying to look into what is pulling our generation in the media, what attracts them. TikTok is a great start, and I did have a presence on TikTok before. I never thought making TikToks for fun would get me a job at CBC News,” said Isaac. Right away CBC Indigenous recognized that Isaac was a natural in front of the camera, and he was a great spokesperson for younger generations.

When Isaac started with CBC Indigenous in Winnipeg, it was during elections for the premiere of Manitoba. Wab Kinew was voted in as the first First Nation Premiere of the province at this time. It was a very monumental and hectic start with CBC Indigenous, but Isaac learned a lot from the experience. Going in, he wasn’t familiar with Indigenous politics, and CBC used this to their advantage in making relatable videos for young generations. Isaac incorporates humour in a lot of his videos but also provides facts and education on topics that the youth might not be familiar with.

A TikTok page had been in the works at CBC Indigenous for quite some time, but when Isaac arrived, this was a perfect opportunity to create an account. CBC Indigenous’s TikTok page consists of several Indigenous journalists from across the country sharing all kinds of Indigenous stories and topics, ranging from inside the AFN (Assembly of First Nations) in Ottawa, to a story about a “rez goat” named Bruce from Beaver Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Isaac played a major part in accumulating followers and working with the journalists on trends, and tips and tricks when it comes to video editing on TikTok.

Once Isaac’s fellowship in Winnipeg was over, he continued working for CBC News in Ottawa. At this time, the company sent him to cover the AFN Elections, which Isaac refers to as his proudest moment.  At the AFN Elections, Isaac spoke with many politicians, councilors, and leadership across Canada, including former Interim National Chief, Joanna Bernard. Isaac also interviewed Listuguj’s Rosalie LaBillois. LaBillois is the Co-Chair of the AFN National Youth Council and spoke to Isaac about today’s youth becoming involved in politics. Isaac stated that he was inspired by LaBillois’s determination and mindset when it came to politics. There are several videos on CBC Indigenous’s TikTok page of Isaac covering the AFN Elections.

Isaac also spoke about his past collaboration and inspiration when it comes to Listuguj’s Nation Isaac. Nation is working as a journalist for CBC Quebec from right here in Listuguj. Isaac credited his interest in journalism to Nation after they worked together on an award-winning video, Mi’gwidelmag gnitjgamitj (Remembering Our Grandpa) about Nation’s grandfather and his experience of the 1981 raid in Listuguj.

Isaac was offered a permanent position with CBC in Winnipeg but declined the offer to move back to Listuguj. Ultimately, he would like to stay in the journalism/entertainment industry and could see himself with a future in politics. He laughed, and said, “I think I just like talking to people on a screen.” Isaac certainly made a name for himself whilst working for CBC and made several memorable videos.

Be sure to check out CBC Indigenous on TikTok to see Isaac’s videos, alongside many other talented Indigenous journalists.

By Ann Marie Jacques

LCSSD – Moose Meat Distribution

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Earlier this month, the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate held a moose meat distribution at their building. Erwin Molley works in collaboration with local hunters and butchers, to provide moose meat for the community of Listuguj.

Thank you to the staff at Listuguj Community Social Services for organizing and distributing the moose meat to elders and community members.

Chief’s Corner with Chief Scott Martin – January 2024

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I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and ended 2023 surrounded by family and loved ones! We kick off 2024 with several cold spells and winter storms, and as always, it’s great to see the community come together for snow removal and put elder’s safety and well-being as a priority.

This year we have lots of things to look forward to, including several events and activities in the community such as our annual Pow Wow coming in August, and most notably, the opening of the Waqatasg Elder’s Care Facility.  The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the facility will be a perfect place for our elders to come home to. Thank you to those who are working hard to make this happen.

Let’s make 2024 a great year!

City Natives Return to Perform in Listuguj After 10 Years

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In 2014, hip-hop group, City Natives performed at the Listuguj Pow Wow, and this year, on January 20th, they were back to perform a free show at the Listuguj Community Development Center. City Natives member, Shelby Sappier said, “It’s always been love every time we come here. Mainly because we have a lot of close friends and family here. It’s just a good vibe all around.”

City Natives consist of three members, Shelby Sappier, Blake Francis, and Brandon Arnold. The group was formed in 2012 and has gained major success over the years. They are 16-time award winners, having won several Indigenous Music Awards, and in 2023, they were the recipients of Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year – making City Natives the first Indigenous artist to do so. The group strives to produce music with catchy beats and relatable lyrics and to incorporate their language and culture.



2024 will be a big year for City Natives. On March 2nd, the group will be opening for rappers Ice Cube, and Xzibit, at the TD Station in Saint John, New Brunswick.  “All the hard work paid off. People are recognizing that we deserve to be on this bill. We’re rez kids from New Brunswick, and the biggest act is coming here, and we’re on that bill? It shows we’re on the right path,” said Sappier. The group is excited for this opportunity. Blake Francis said, “We’re on another level opening up for legends.”

The group will also be performing at The JUNO Awards on March 24th in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sappier said, “The first step is getting in the door at the JUNOs, the next step is winning them.” Nominees for The JUNO Awards will be announced on February 6th, and there is a possibility City Natives may be nominated.

Both Sappier and Francis stated that when the group first started, there were no East Coast Indigenous artists doing what they were doing at the time. The group is proud to have helped pave the way for others and wants to have an impact on the next generation. Francis said, “I just do what I do because I was once an Indigenous child who had no influence. As we excelled, I see Indigenous children looking up to us.”

In 2023, City Natives had 90,000 streams on Spotify. Sappier and Francis say they are looking to set the bar higher and continue giving the fans what they want. The group is grateful for their fans over the years and those who continue to support them.

Check out City Native’s newest album, “Still Chief’n” on all streaming platforms, and be sure to tune in to their performance at The JUNO Awards on March 24th.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Book Launch of Nipugtug by Emma Metallic and Natalie Laurin

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On January 20th a book launch was held at Campbellton’s The Flying Canoe Bookstore for the book “Nipugtug.” The book is written by Listuguj’s Emma Metallic and illustrated by Natalie Laurin.

“Nipugtug” centers around a young girl named A’le’s who uses nature to help her on a journey to learn about her culture and the Mi’gmaw language.

The book launch was a success in The Flying Canoe Bookstore’s cozy atmosphere. Metallic and Laurin explained their inspirations for the book, and how it came to be. Metallic also read excerpts from her book to the crowd.

Delicious pizza was also served at the event and was made and donated by Listuguj’s Buddy Vicaire.

“Nipugtug” is written in both English and Mi’gmaw, and can purchased at Kegedonce Press online, Amazon, or locally at The Flying Canoe Bookstore in Campbellton.

By Ann Marie Jacques