Franki Ikeman

Happy New Year.

I forgot how, sometimes, when we can’t make sense of the world around us it can be nice to just bear witness to those also trying to make sense of it.

This past June, I spent some time following a group of First Nations youth participating in a walk from Cochrane to Niagara Falls - a month-long journey that stretched about 900 kilometres. The Youth Walk of Hope was organized by the Mushkegowuk Council and drew participants from several of its communities including Attawapiskat, Moose Cree and Fort Albany. The purpose was to raise awareness about the suicide crisis facing so many First Nations communities. The walk also gave a voice to the youth, who attended the Assembly of First Nations meeting upon arriving in Niagara Falls. There, they had the chance to speak about the struggles they face back home and about the prevalence of suicide among their friends, families and peers. Being able to hear their stories, to hear their heartbreak and most incredibly, their optimism for the future, was inspiring.

Know that feeling. #summerisover #backtoschool #schoolbusorientation #halton #onassignment

Talking history with Nana, Aug. 10, 2016 #family #history #photojournalism #93yearsyoung

Super Pull, Milton. #tractorpull #truckyeah #onassignment #wheelsup #photojournalism #miltonont #igershalton (at Country Heritage Park)

Pipes and drums at Midnight Madness in Oakville #midnightmadness #pipesanddrums #marchingband #downtownoakville (at Downtown Oakville)

Feeling so grateful that I've had the chance to meet these amazing people over the past few weeks. So impressed and inspired by what they have accomplished - a walk more than 800 km long from Cochrane to Niagara Falls to raise awareness about the suicide crisis in their communities. Thank you to the Mushkegowuk Youth Walk of Hope, miigwetch. #walkofhopemc #mushkegowuk #hope #suicideawareness #photojournalism #attawapiskat #moosecree #fortalbany (at Fonthill, Ontario)

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton after addressing members of Masjid Noorul Haram mosque for Ramadan on Canada Day #hbdcanada #holymonth #oakont #outtake

Waiting for fireworks in Milton #canadaday #fireworks #milton #hbdcanada (at Milton Fair Grounds)

Very honoured and grateful to have received an Ontario Newspaper Award for Sports Photography for this photo! Sending massive thanks to my friends and colleagues at The Trib, and to the Ontario Newspaper Awards!

When you get a bit distracted from shooting people walking because this volunteer is having such a laugh for continuously announcing that they had bananas at the snack station when they actually had apples. #goodpeopledoinggoodthings #coldestnightoftheyear #itsallwellandgood #photojournalism #wellandfaces (at Welland, Ontario)

You can read about it here.

It looks sketchy on the outside, but Welland’s Rex Hotel has quite the story. I caught up with owner Bruno to chat about the milestone birthday. To read more click here.

I shot this portrait of The Hope Centre executive director Mark Carl earlier this month for a story by Allan Benner about the night Mark found a woman who had been living in her car for about a month. Mark and The Hope Centre got the lady shelter at a local hotel and will work with her to get back on her feet. To read the story, click here.

I’m so grateful for the year that I’ve had and optimistic and excited to tackle 2016 and the moments it holds. It’s hard to choose 15 photographs to summarize a year - but I’ve done my best. My favourite (for whatever reason) 15 photographs from 2015.

For the full story, click here.