Free Press journalists recognized among country’s best
Five National Newspaper Award nominations
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The Free Press has been nominated for five National Newspaper Awards.
The newspaper’s coverage of the mass stabbing in Hollow Water First Nation that killed one and injured seven was nominated in the breaking news category, led by reporters Scott Billeck, Nicole Buffie and Chris Kitching, as well as photographers Mikaela MacKenzie and Mike Deal. A Mountie was also injured when the 26-year-old suspect crashed his vehicle into an RCMP cruiser north of Powerview-Pine Falls in the September incident.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Police investigate a scene on Sibi Drive in Hollow Water First Nation on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. 
Investigative reporter Marsha McLeod was nominated in two categories. She was nominated in the explanatory category for her work on the origins of the second-generation cutoff in Canada’s Indian Act. She was also nominated in the long feature category for her investigation into the RCMP’s fatal shooting of 18-year-old Conor Rae and the probe by the province’s police oversight agency.
Ben Waldman is nominated in the arts and entertainment category for his feature on comic book superhero Captain Canuck, the creation of a Winnipeg illustrator/writer 50 years ago, finding new audiences and relevance today.
Niigaan Sinclair is nominated for his columns on the death of Pope Francis, the effect of Thomas King’s admission he was not Indigenous and the power of Wab Kinew’s comments on child pornography legislation.
“I’m delighted that the National Newspaper Awards recognizes the ambition that is essential to our newsroom. The Free Press takes great pride in being able to respond to breaking news stories, but also to uncover stories that otherwise wouldn’t be told,” Free Press editor Paul Samyn said.
Ninety-nine journalists were recognized across the country, representing 27 newspapers.
The Globe and Mail led the way with 19 nominations, followed by La Presse with 13.
The awards will be handed out at a gala in Toronto on April 24.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
