Indigenous Storytelling Through Journalism: The Journey of Tchadas Leo

As an Indigenous journalist chronicling the life and traditions of First Nations communities, Tchadas Leo has found a way to shine a light on his cultural heritage while strengthening ties with the community. “My career over the past few years has magically reconnected me back to my family and back to the people who live on reserves,” Leo stated. “It’s helped me notice some of the things the nation is doing to try to help revitalize that culture.”

Leo serves as a reporter for Chek News and hosts the podcast “Our Native Land,” featuring interviews and discussions about First Nation culture on Vancouver Island and beyond. His personal experiences as an Indigenous individual inform his storytelling, driven by a sense of duty to accurately portray these narratives. “Our traditions tell us to listen to elders and obtain all that information, remember it and treat it respectfully,” Leo said, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting.

His journey into journalism was not straightforward. There were various career shifts and intermittent reporting jobs before Leo honed in on journalism full-time. Born in Mission, B.C., to a father with Xwemalhkwu First Nation and Stillaguamish Tribe ancestry, and a mother of Peruvian and Argentinian descent, Leo spent part of his childhood on a reserve in Campbell River. Reflecting on this period, he stated, “That would be a return to home,” speaking of his father’s emotional connection to the land after attending residential school away from the community.

Leo’s engagement with journalism began at an early age. Inspired by a local TV station’s visit to his middle school, he eagerly volunteered and soon became involved in community media. His first documentary, made at age 14, was about a canoe journey by Indigenous people, an experience that fueled his passion for storytelling. “Every teenager at some point gets excited about something. And for me, it was picking up that camera and filming,” he recounted.

Although he ventured into various other industries, including car and hospitality, Leo refocused on journalism during the pandemic, enrolling in BCIT‘s broadcasting and online journalism program. Concurrently, he began producing “Our Native Land,” a “vodcast” that delves into Indigenous stories.

Despite not wanting to be solely labeled as an ‘Indigenous journalist,’ Leo acknowledges his unique position to cover stories that are often underreported. “There has been such a mistrust between nations and Indigenous people and what we call the media landscape or journalists,” he explained. The trust within the community allows him to navigate sensitive subjects. “It takes time and patience,” he noted, often fostering familiarity before the interviews begin.

Leo hopes that his work will inspire young Indigenous journalists and other First Nations children to pursue their aspirations. “I hope that my journey can inspire some other young Indigenous kids to maybe realize their potential,” Leo expressed. “You can dream it, you can do it.”