A long-standing BC Interior newspaper is entering a new chapter in its history following a change in ownership.
On Friday, the K'en T'em Limited Partnership (KTLP) announced its purchase of the Merritt Herald from Glacier Media.
"This is an opportunity to bring together different ways of seeing the world," said Chief Lindsay Tighe of Shackan, director on the K'en T'em board.
"Through this partnership, we can create space for stories that reflect who we are as nłeʔképmx people, while continuing to serve the wider community. It is about respect, collaboration and the power of being seen and heard."
Founded in 2015, KTLP is a 100% Indigenous-owned for-profit organization that is the economic development arm of the Citxw Nlaka'pamux Assembly (CNA), which represents the Ashcroft Indian Band, Boston Bar First Nation, Coldwater Indian Band, Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, Nicomen Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band and the Siska Indian Band.
"This is an exciting opportunity to support local journalism in a way that reflects the region and the people who call it home," said Nicole Johnny, acting general manager of K'en T'em and executive director of CNA.
"We're looking forward to growing the Merritt Herald sustainably and collaboratively, while creating space for new ideas and shared success."
The Herald was founded in 1905 and is printed weekly on Thursdays for all of its readers in the Nicola Valley.
"After being with the paper for 31 years and seeing the changeover of hands multiple times, I'm excited to see that the Herald will find a permanent home in the community it has served for over 120 years," said Theresa Arnold, publisher at the Merritt Herald.
"Our readers trust us to reflect what matters in their lives. We are looking forward to working with K'en T'em and continuing to grow that trust together, one edition at a time."
The paper’s day-to-day operations will stay the same for now, as a joint committee of K'en T'em and Herald staff will look to further strengthen the Herald’s role in the region.
Thumbnail photo courtesy of Tourism Nicola Valley.
