Books & Reviews

New Memoir Chronicles a Métis Woman's Journey Across Canada

‘Rooted and Roaming’ dives deep into cultural identity, land, and personal healing as author Elise Tremblay recounts her travels and reconnections.

July 27, 2025 at 15:09 — By Gabrielle Davis, Leaf & Thought

A handful of Canadian newsrooms are turning to TikTok to reach a generation increasingly disconnected from traditional media. From rapid-fire explainer videos to behind-the-scenes reporting, journalists are reshaping how the news is consumed.

One such initiative is unfolding in Calgary, where The Local Lens, an independent digital outlet, has hired a Gen Z 'news creator' to translate articles into 60-second TikToks. Topics range from municipal budget breakdowns to Indigenous land rights.

The goal, according to editor-in-chief Maria Lopez, is to make civics digestible without losing nuance. 'We want young people to care about zoning and health policy—not just dance trends,' she said.

The experiment is paying off: since launching the channel, Local Lens has seen a 40% increase in engagement among users under 25. Followers regularly ask questions in the comments, which reporters then address in follow-up videos.

Other Canadian outlets, like The Tyee and Xtra, are experimenting with similar formats. Some journalists are even creating personal TikTok accounts to build trust and transparency around their reporting process.

Media scholars caution that short-form video is not a silver bullet, but say it's a promising way to rebuild media literacy and relevance in a crowded digital landscape.