Victoria’s youngest magazine writers are tackling big issue topics

Some of Victoria’s youngest magazine writers are tackling hard-hitting topics such as homelessness, Victoria’s Missing Middle, and LGBTQ2S issues in the latest issue of general-interest magazine Fort Yates Info, now in its fifth year of publication.

The writers, all in Grade 8 at Central Middle School, wrote and designed the magazine over the course of a month and a half.

On the back cover, written below a photo of the group in large, sans serif font, is the Fort Yates Info’s tagline: “Read the magazine. Get the facts. Form your own opinions.”

While the magazine does have a barcode in front, you won’t find it in many stores. The 25-page magazine has a circulation of about 250, largely distributed at the school and to parents.

Fort Yates Info is a regular part of Alan Barwin’s elective media and social justice class. Barwin acts as the publisher and editor-in-chief, but he says the magazine’s editorial direction is all student-led.

“It’s so exciting as a teacher, seeing what they come up with,” Barwin said. “It’s all about taking what we do in our social studies, language arts classes and just making it more real.”

The piece anchoring the latest issue is about protecting old growth, but it’s one of 14 total pieces, addressing topics like homelessness, queer rights, school report card changes, and the pros and cons of childbirth. Displaying a blend of editorial and opinion, article topics range between the hyperlocal—such as tackling student concerns around transphobia at Central Middle School—as well as provincial, national, and international commentary and reporting.

The young writers, publishing their first ever stories, faced age-old journalism industry questions such as objectivity, finding sources, and generating story ideas.

“I didn’t end up interviewing somebody because it felt too awkward,” said Ramona Weaver, who wrote an article about homelessness in Victoria. “I just felt rude coming up to somebody and being like, ‘Hi, can I interview you? You’re homeless. Can I interview you?’”

Fiona Zhong said she found her story idea by reading through the back issues of Fort Yates Info. Some turned to interviewing friends and family. Others found willing sources with promises of anonymity.

Eighth grade schoolteacher Alan Barwin, posing with back issues of Fort Yates Improvement. Barwin has been the publisher and editor of Fort Yates Info for the past five years. It's part of the curriculum in his media and social issues class. Photos: Michael John Lo / Capital Daily

Some even grappled with issues of journalistic ethics.

Bren Grundy, who wrote an article overviewing global police brutality that included an interview with a VicPD school liaison officer, said he found it difficult to not let his own biases take over the article.

“I found it was hard to not paint the police in a negative light,” Grundy said.

Students say teachers and parents were surprised by the quality and production of the magazines, which featured colour covers, carefully edited stories, and unique angles. Still, there are some journalistic obstacles that are hard for eighth graders to overcome.

“The big stumbling block is that they’re 13,” said Barwin. “It’s hard to talk to a police officer or talk to someone who is on the street and have an authentic interview.”

While most of these budding writers seem content to trade words for grades, Finley Simmons, who wrote about homelessness and addiction issues in Victoria, is already thinking ahead.

“I like writing articles,” Simmons said. “I want to get paid for it.”

Ramona Weaver, Bren Grundy, and Fiona Zhong, contributors to the latest issue of Fort Yates Info. Photo: Michael John Lo / Capital Daily