DNTO documentary about Somali refugee Yahya Samatar earns gold trophy at New York Festivals
Yahya Samatar was the subject of a documentary that won gold at the New York Festivals for the CBC Radio program DNTO. (Kaj Hasselriis/CBC)
Thursday, June 23, 2016
A CBC Radio program about a Somali refugee who fled to Manitoba last summer has won a prestigious international broadcasting award in New York.
"Swimming to Freedom: The Incredible Story of Yahya Samatar", which first aired last September on the CBC Radio show DNTO, was awarded a gold trophy on June 20 at the New York Festivals in the best documentary (social issues) category.
Among the other four gold winners for CBC Radio was Anna Maria Tremonti, host of The Current, who won for best talk show host.
Kaj Hasselriis, the Winnipeg-based CBC Radio producer who led production of DNTO's winning episode, accepted the award at the gala in New York. He said it was especially significant considering the show just ended its run after 22 years
"It's great to go out on a high," he said.
"We're also thrilled to win for a story that celebrates such an inspiring newcomer. I'm thankful to Yahya for trusting us with his story."
"Swimming to Freedom" tells the story of Samatar, who fled his native Somalia almost two years ago and, against incredible odds, eventually made his way to Canada after swimming across the Red River to Emerson, Man.
CBC Radio producer Kaj Hasselriis with Yahya Samatar on the banks of the Red River in Emerson, Man. (Sara Calnek/CBC)
He was granted refugee status a few weeks after his arrival.
Samatar is already a community leader in Winnipeg, where he also attends school and works for the fundraising company Creaddo Group. He hopes to bring his wife and four children to Canada within the next couple of years.
Also cited for the award was DNTO host Sook-Yin Lee, along with fellowDNTO producers Iris Yudai, Sara Tate, Doug Holmes, Sandra Thacker, Andrew Friesen, Anna Lazowski and Rosie Fernandez.