Gillian Gracie founded Opportunity North about 26 years ago. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

End of an era

Opportunity North founder releases final issue

Jan 7, 2020 | 1:41 PM

Getting information out to northerners so they could form their own opinion was one of Gillian Gracie’s main goals when she launched Opportunity North in 1994.

Now, after close to 26 years of dedication to the publication, Gracie released the final issue of the magazine last month. Throughout that time, she managed Opportunity North out of her home and did everything from writing, layout and sales herself.

“It started small,” Gracie said. “The first issues were thinner, black and white, and less costly. The mailing costs were a lot less. It just kind of grew around me. I did what I could do and, as the years went by, I was able to do a bit more and more.”

Prior to founding Opportunity North, Gracie already had extensive experience in print media. After she moved to Saskatchewan from the United Kingdom in 1965 and finally La Ronge the following year, she started out as a teacher before accepting a position with the Department of Northern Saskatchewan. There she worked on several publications focusing on different aspects of life in the North.

Gracie also freelanced for the former local weekly newspaper The Northerner before she decided to buy the business in 1983. She owned the newspaper for 10 years before she sold it to a company and launched her magazine. Gracie noted during the early years she took it one day at a time.

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“I approached the mining companies and that was the time when uranium mining [was] really increasing,” she said. “The mining companies came on board, supported it and it grew from there.”

Throughout the years, Gracie mentioned there were tough times with the uranium industry but companies always seemed to pull through. She said the industry now is at a low-point and struggling, but she believes it will bounce back with force.

Gracie also commented on the state of print media in general, adding there’s still a market for it and that people would likely read a local newspaper if one was available to residents.

“I kind of mourn the loss of print because it survives the longest,” Gracie said. “Plus, reporters in general at the time had some kind of onus to find the truth, whereas the electronics are mostly opinion. How do you get to the real facts of the matter?”

As for the future, Gracie mentioned there has been some interested buyers but she’s unsure if a sale will materialize. It’s important for her that someone from the North and who knows the region expresses an interest. She doesn’t imagine the publication being produced in a southern community.

In retirement, Gracie expects to continue doing freelance work with exploration companies, as well as continue in her role as communications coordinator for the Environmental Quality Committee. In the coming years, she would also like to continue publishing special projects like writing about small modular reactors and other forms of energy.

“I just want to thank all the people who sent all kinds of good comments when I announced I was shutting it down,” Gracie said. “It’s been well received I think. You often wonder when you send out 8,500 copies if anyone reads it. Apparently people do, so that was gratifying.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno