Подкаст IPR получил национальную премию Эдварда Р. Мурроу за защиту прав рыбаков-ожибве

IPR's 'Points North' podcast has once again been recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. The episode detailing how Ojibwe fisherman Big Abe LeBlanc stood up for tribal fishing rights in the Great Lakes, has been honored in the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion category. It was produced by 'Points North' senior producer Ellie Katz, and edited by Morgan Springer. One calm September morning in 1971, Big Abe LeBlanc got ready to go fishing on Lake Superior. This was something he often did in secret, under the cover of darkness, hiding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. But on this particular day, Big Abe called the DNR before he left. “I just remember him saying that, you know, ‘This is where I'll be, and if you want me, come get me,’” said his son, Sonny LeBlanc. It was 1971. And Big Abe, who’s Ojibwe, was preemptively turning himself in for two crimes, at least according to Michigan law. The first crime: commercial fishing without a license. The second: fishing with illegal equipment. After Big Abe hung up, he went out on the lake, set his nets and waited for the officers to come. What happened next changed fishing in the Great Lakes forever. It's the second National Murrow Award won by the 'Points North' team since 2024. The Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious journalism awards. Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association has used these awards to recognize news organizations that demonstrate the excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the broadcast news profession. The awards are presented to small and large radio, television, and digital outlets in 14 regions. IPR had four regional-winning entries in 2026, which were judged nationally against honorees in the small market category from those 14 geographic areas. You can listen to Points North on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.