Welcome to the latest issue of The Walrus Lab Insider, a regular update from our client services department.
Recently, brands have come to us with opportunities to address areas such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, Indigenous reconciliation, environmental sustainability, and business leadership. In recent months, our work has focused on elevating diverse voices, launching a writer’s career through the Amazon Canada First Novel Award, supporting initiatives to stem the shortage of Indigenous teachers, drawing attention to the Colorado River crisis, and celebrating courageous Canadian entrepreneurs.
The Winners of the 2023 Amazon Canada First Novel Award
In May, Jasmine Sealy was announced as the winner of the 2023 Amazon Canada First Novel Award for her debut book, The Island of Forgetting, garnering her a $60,000 prize. Representatives from the publishing and writing community celebrated the winners and shortlisters at a red carpet ceremony in downtown Toronto. The winner of the youth prize was Danica Popovic, taking home $5,000 for her short story “Local Shopper.” Michelle Good, winner of the 2021 AFNA for her novel, Five Little Indians, treated the audience with an inspirational speech aimed at young writers. "I've said before that I believe writers are born, not made,” Good said in her speech. “As writers, we observe, we consider and we record. I remember doing that as young as eleven. I see that in all of you."
Read more about our work on the annual book award.
Reconciliation in Canadian Schools
The shortage of Indigenous teachers across Canada highlights a critical gap in our education system. “Education is the key to reconciliation,” explained Senator Murray Sinclair to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015. In May, The Walrus Lab published a custom content
supplement for the Rideau Hall Foundation, highlighting their efforts to address the Indigenous teacher shortage. In “Finding the Knowledge Keepers,” writer Cara McKenna explores the
implications and solutions to this national issue. The Walrus Lab also commissioned original artwork by Indigenous artist Jessie Boulard, whose illustrations worked in harmony with the text to tell this important story.
Peace by Chocolate
When U.S. President Joe Biden visited Ottawa in March, nobody expected a Nova Scotia chocolate bar to make headlines. But that’s exactly what happened when Green Party leader Elizabeth May gifted Biden a chocolate bar from Halifax-based Peace by Chocolate. Company
founder, Tareq Hadhad is a Syrian refugee, who built the business into a major Canadian success story. He joined the podcast Courage Incorporated—produced by The Walrus Lab for Deloitte—to discuss his journey with host Duncan Sinclair.
The Colorado River Crisis
The Colorado River, a major source of water for hundreds of millions of people, and for farmers growing key crops for worldwide export, is drying up. In a special summer series of What About Water? With Jay
Famiglietti,we look at why so much of the Colorado River's freshwater goes toward growing water-intensive hay crops (think: alfalfa), and what can be done to significantly scale back consumptive use in the future. The Walrus Lab has produced four seasons of this podcast for the Global Institute for Water Security, and ranks as one of the top ten Earth Science podcasts in North America.
Curious about anything you’ve read here? Or want to know more about how The Walrus Lab can support your strategic communications plans? Please reach out.
What’s a story your brand wants told but hasn’t been adequately covered by the media? Email me (and I’ll email you back).
