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Local storytelling: the foundation of a strong Sarnia

In his latest column, Nathan Colquhoun shares why he’s committed to keeping the Sarnia Journal a space for authentic, local stories that truly capture the heart of Sarnia.
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Photo by Nathan Colquhoun

Keeping the Sarnia Journal going has been a deeply personal commitment. In a world where community stories often get pushed aside for corporate priorities, I believe Sarnia deserves more. Our city is more than crime reports and meeting notes—it’s filled with people, places, and ideas that are worth sharing and exploring in depth.

When I decided to put my own resources into keeping the Journal alive, it wasn’t about making money. We’re still losing money each month (if you’re a local business that believes in this, please reach out—we’d love to work with you), but that hasn’t stopped us from holding onto a space for our stories—a place to explore what makes Sarnia-Lambton unique and to offer readers something they can truly connect with. Local storytelling is about capturing the real stories that shape our community, looking at how we’re growing, what challenges we’re facing, and even how we measure up next to other cities. It’s about giving people a view of what’s happening around them that actually feels relevant.

For us, storytelling goes well beyond traditional journalism. It’s in the biographical snapshots like Humans of Sarnia, the powerful social commentary in SPROINK’s cartoons, and the culinary explorations of Sarnia Nibbles. It’s in the stunning local photography from Ronny Rooster, and in the voices of artists, performers, and musicians we’re so proud to highlight. It’s also in the conversations on our podcasts, where we dig into topics that matter to our community. Together, these stories build a vibrant, layered picture of Sarnia.

We’re expanding our team of writers and the stories we tell, bringing new voices and perspectives into the Journal. Our aim is to be more than just a newspaper; we want to be a community publisher that truly reflects Sarnia. We become the stories that we tell ourselves, and I want the Journal to be a place where people see those stories—our struggles, our wins, our character—come to life and open up the potential of what those of us who make Sarnia home could truly be.

If you just want to read about how Trump pulled off another win or keep up with the non-stop national narratives flooding your feed, go ahead—I’m not going to stop you. But if you’re looking to connect on a deeper level with your community, come along on this journey with us. Share your stories, send letters to the editorsend us your tips, and let’s read, tell, and listen to one another as we celebrate this beautiful city we call home.

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