SIFC student lands CBC-TV job in Halifax

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If this keeps up, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's newest television personality could have an identity crisis.

As the tape of the previous day's CBC Saskatchewan newscast played on the screen Sept. 8, about 30 people in the Okanese First Nation band hall erupted with laughter as the on-air host introduced the new on-air personality of the TV show "Street Cents" as "Connie Watson." Nobody on Okanese knows her as Connie Watson. They know her better as Connie Walker, a 21-year-old Saskatchewan Indian Federated College student and, starting Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m., one of the highest profile First Nations journalists on national television.

That Friday's surprise party marked one of Walker's last days on the reserve before leaving for Halifax, N.S., and a job as an on-air personality and reporter on the consumer affairs show designed for teens.

Walker, a student at the SIFC's Indian Communications (INCA) program, will spend the next 19 weeks in front of the camera filming Street Cents.

It may not have been the favorite show for Okanese residents in the decade Street Cents has been broadcast on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - but the show's going to be very popular on the reserve now.

"It wasn't watched by the older people, but my brothers and sisters and little cousins have seen it. They know what the show is about," she said. "But everyone knows what the show is about now, and I'm sure that everyone will be watching."

Walker says she's nervous, but she's also ready, for the job at hand.

"I'm really excited about the job. It's a great opportunity," Walker said. "But I'm also a little nervous about being away from home for so long. I'm very close to my family and I know I'm going to miss them a lot."

But she will be taking a part of Okanese with her to Halifax. At Friday's surprise party, Walker was showered with best wishes from friends, family and band council members. She was also presented with a star blanket quilt.

With the appointment, the 21-year-old Balcarres High grad has made a lot of "cents" in her choice of education and her career. That was noted by her cousin, Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde, in his letter of congratulations to Walker.

She was hired for the job while interning this summer at CBC Halifax. Walker was one of eight young journalists from across Canada to receive the Joan Davidson Newsworld Scholarship earlier this year.

Over the summer, Walker got a crash course in the fast-paced world of television news - researching, chase production, script handling, and working in a television control room. All eight winners - one each from Canada's eight university level journalism programs - were determined on their merits of their resumes, academic records, an essay and an interview.

While doing her internship at CBC Halifax, Walker was encouraged to work with Street Cents crews to create a promotional tape and apply for the position. The next day after she submitted her tape and her application, she was offered the position.

Filming of a new season of Street Cents began in Halifax on Monday. The first new Street Cents episodes, where Walker will be one of three on-camera hosts, will air Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Walker says she hopes to return to her university classes in Regina next year.

Despite the hoopla, the CBC made a few un-journalistic mistakes when introducing Saskatchewan's newest television celebrity.

In addition to the "Watson" blooper, a headline announcing her appointment on CBC Saskatchewan's Internet website mistakenly claimed she was from Saskatoon.