Making headlines – Alyona Latsinnik breaks viral election night story

A journalism course project led to Alyona Latsinnik breaking a viral election story that exposed a Conservative candidate’s racist remarks about Indigenous people.

As part of her class project assigned by her Journalism Professor Stephen Hume, Alyona arranged to interview Marina Sapozhnikov, the Conservative candidate for Juan de Fuca-Malahat, on election night.

“We went into this little office room to have the interview and at first it was very laid back. I mentioned that she was being recorded and asked if that was OK. Initially, this was supposed to be only published as my assignment,” says Alyona.

 Alyona says the interview changed after mentioning she was in the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies program at VIU. The candidate started to make racist remarks and disparaging Indigenous history that was being taught at universities.

“I realized what she said was so harmful and damaging, and if she won, she would represent three First Nations. I could only imagine her take on the issues they are facing. I thought it had to do with my journalistic integrity to bring this up and make it public because people deserve to know,” she says. 

Alyona emailed her professor the morning after the interview and said she might have a huge story. They decided to give the recording and transcript to the Vancouver Sun editor. The story broke in the Vancouver Sunand was quickly picked up by various other news outlets.

Alyona says there is still so much work to be done on reconciliation in Canada.

“We cannot say that things have changed and are different when our Indigenous Peoples are being oppressed in every aspect and every sector. We haven’t moved as far as people want to think. The truth must be acknowledged and talked about,” she says. “I feel very fortunate that I get to take Indigenous Studies and learn about these things. I am very blessed in our department we have incredible instructors.”

Alyona was born in Russia and is half Russian and half Ukrainian. She says the war in Ukraine is very bleak and is connected to a colonial legacy.

“I relate to the loss of land and relocation because that’s something that my family had to endure back home,” she says.

Alyona says she also wanted to expose the remarks because in her home country laws and propaganda prevent journalists from reporting the truth. She adds that journalists in Ukraine are dying while reporting from unsafe zones.

Alyona is still exploring programs and isn’t sure if she’ll pursue a journalism degree. She is currently taking the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies program. She is also considering taking a master’s in education and then a certificate in counselling to become a therapist.

“I think having this foundation in Indigenous studies could help me work with the government towards reconciliation or work with First Nations here in BC, having a dialogue on resources management and protection of territories. I think the government is slow and unwilling to do the right things,” she says.