Brandi Morin

Indigenous Author, Journalist | Survivor of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Crisis

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About This Speaker

Brandi Morin is an acclaimed Cree/Iroquois/French journalist from Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, Canada, who has dedicated over a decade to amplifying Indigenous voices and shedding light on crucial stories that have catalyzed change and reconciliation in Canada. Known for her clear-eyed and empathetic reporting on Indigenous oppression in North America, Brandi brings a unique perspective to her work. As a survivor of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis, she uses her personal experience to tell the stories of those who did not survive the rampant violence.

Her impactful journalism has graced the pages and screens of prestigious media outlets, including National Geographic, The BBC, Al Jazeera English, the Guardian, VICE, Rolling Stone Magazine, the Toronto Star, the New York Times, and CBC Indigenous, among others. Brandi’s exceptional reporting has earned her numerous accolades throughout her career.

In April 2019, Brandi Morin won a Human Rights Reporting award from the Canadian Association of Journalists for her work on CBC’s Beyond 94 project. Her achievements continued into July 2022, when she claimed first place in the Print/Online Best Feature Story category at the National Native American Journalism Awards for her Al Jazeera English piece ‘Canada’s crying shame’: The fields full of children’s bones’. The same year, she also won Best Column for her work with the Toronto Star.

Brandi’s series on the genocide of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls for Al Jazeera English won a top prize in the Feature Reporting category at the 2022 Edward Murrow Awards, competing against media giants like The New York Times and CNN International. This prestigious recognition further cemented her status as a leading voice in Indigenous journalism.

September 2023 brought two significant honors: PEN Canada awarded Brandi the annual Ken Filkow Prize for advancing freedom of expression in Canada, while Amnesty International Canada presented her with the 2022/23 Media Award in the Local News/Alternative category. The latter recognized her story on the Wet’suwet’en People’s fight against pipeline construction, highlighting her commitment to covering critical environmental and Indigenous rights issues.

Brandi’s impact extends beyond print journalism. In April 2024, she and co-director Geordie Day received a Sidney Hillman award for their documentary “Killer Water,” which exposed the toxic effects of Alberta’s oil sands industry on Indigenous communities. Her dedication to environmental reporting was further recognized in June 2024. Brandi won the Canadian Association of Journalists Environmental and Climate Change award for her feature “On the ground with Indigenous communities covering a climate inferno.“

The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) selected Brandi Morin as the 2024 Tim Giago Free Press Award recipient, acknowledging her unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom within Indigenous communities. This award underscores her role not just as a journalist, but as a defender of free speech and transparency.

Brandi’s debut memoir, Our Voice of Fire: A Memoir of a Warrior Rising, became a national bestseller shortly after its August 2022 release. The book received both the Memoir of the Year and the Wilfrid Eggleston prizes at the 2023 Alberta Literary Awards.

Her commitment to truth-telling has not been without challenges. In January 2024, Brandi was arrested and charged with obstruction while reporting on an Edmonton City Police raid of an Indigenous homeless encampment. The incident sparked outcry from national and international press organizations, leading to the charges being dropped a month later. This experience only reinforced Brandi’s determination to shed light on issues affecting Indigenous communities.

Throughout her career, Brandi Morin’s fearless reporting and unwavering advocacy for human rights have solidified her reputation as a formidable force in journalism. Her powerful storytelling continues to amplify Indigenous voices, expose systemic inequalities, and compel audiences to confront the urgent realities facing Indigenous communities across North America.

Videos

Speaking Topics: Brandi Morin

Two Countries, One Crisis: Investigating MMIWG Across North America

Drawing from personal experience as both a survivor and a cross-border journalist, Brandi offers a unique perspective on the MMIWG crisis across Canada and the U.S. She will delve into the alarming statistics, explore the shared and distinct challenges faced by Indigenous communities, and examine the colonial histories and systemic racism at the root of this crisis. Through Indigenous-led journalism, Brandi highlights the vital connections between communities and issues a powerful call to action to honor Indigenous women and recognize our collective responsibility in addressing this ongoing tragedy.

Indigenous Land/Environmental Rights

Brandi examines the critical intersection of environmental stewardship and Indigenous sovereignty. She offers an essential perspective on how protecting traditional territories is vital to the global fight against climate change.

Reconciliation & the Media

Brandi explores the media's powerful role in shaping public perception of Indigenous issues and its responsibility in the reconciliation process. She provides insights into how trauma-informed, Indigenous-led journalism can challenge systemic biases and amplify voices that have historically been silenced.

Truth & Reconciliation

Sharing her expertise from a decade of documenting Indigenous oppression and resilience, Brandi discusses the necessary steps for authentic reconciliation in North America. She highlights how acknowledging the full truth of colonial history is the only way to build a future grounded in equity and mutual respect.

Residential Schools

Brandi provides a deep and empathetic look at the painful legacy of the residential school system and its ongoing intergenerational impacts. Her talk centers on the resilience of survivors and the urgent need for justice for the children who never returned home.

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls

As a survivor of this ongoing crisis, Brandi combines personal experience with investigative reporting to shed light on the systemic violence facing Indigenous women and girls. She issues a powerful call to action, demanding collective responsibility to end this tragedy and honor those lost.

Inspirational - Overcoming Enormous Barriers And Unleashing Your Purpose Of Passion And Fire

In this moving session, Brandi shares her personal journey of rising from trauma and systemic barriers to become a national bestselling author and award-winning journalist. She inspires audiences to find their own "voice of fire" and turn their passions into a force for meaningful change.