Tom Roberts (journalist) facts for kids

Tom Roberts (born around 1950) is a Canadian radio host and journalist who is now retired. He became famous for his work on the radio, especially for broadcasting in the Cree language.

Tom Roberts: A Voice for the North

Early Life and Northern Roots

Tom Roberts was born in a place called Stanley Mission, in Saskatchewan, Canada. He grew up in a northern Cree family. His family lived off the land, working as trappers, fishers, and even tour guides. Their special area for trapping animals, called a trapline, was near Forbes Lake. This lake is quite far away, about 50 kilometers north of Otter Lake.

From Trapping to Radio Waves

Tom didn't want to be a trapper forever. He decided to go to school in La Ronge and Yorkton. After his studies, he found work as a radio operator for airfreight, which means he used radio to help planes carry goods. He also worked as a translator, helping people speak between the Cree and English languages.

Because of his skills, the Department of Northern Saskatchewan offered him a job as a radio announcer. This was a big deal! Tom Roberts started broadcasting in the Cree language. These were the very first radio shows in Saskatchewan that were spoken in an Indigenous language.

Joining CBC Radio

In 1982, the government of Saskatchewan, led by Premier Grant Devine, made some changes. They closed the Department of Northern Saskatchewan and stopped its radio programs. But Tom Roberts didn't stop broadcasting. The next year, in 1983, he joined CBC Radio.

At CBC, Tom became the host of a show called Keewatin Country. This was a one-hour news show that aired every weekday at noon. It was like a magazine on the radio, sharing news and stories. Tom stayed as the host of Keewatin Country for many years, until he retired in 2010.

Awards and Recognition

Tom Roberts's important work as a journalist was recognized. In 2003, he received the First Nations Award for journalism from an organization called Women of the Dawn. This award celebrated his dedication and impact in telling stories and sharing news, especially in the Cree language.