About Me.

Hello and welcome to anyone who is reading this! My name is Dahra Gillen - I’m a freelance journalist and wildlife photographer based in both Ottawa and Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

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I graduated from Carleton University in June 2025, with a Honours Bachelor in Journalism with a minor in Disability Studies. 

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Given my minor, I have a particular passion for writing articles aimed towards accessibility both in subject matter but also in sources for stories. Other than that, I enjoy writing articles on issues concerning climate change, wildlife/nature, human rights and arts & culture. I’ve written articles for Her Campus's Carleton Chapter, Capital Current and most recently OrilliaMatters. But, I’m looking forward to writing for you!

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A little bit more about me; I have eleven food allergies - the major ones being dairy, peanuts and tree-nuts because those three are everywhere! All of them include; dairy, peanuts, tree-nuts, eggs, mustard, oats, chia, sesame, pineapple, kiwis and penicillin. Given my allergies, I do like to cover topics on them and give them accurate coverage which has lacked in the past. If you have any ideas which involve food allergies, maybe with a new angle let me know! I’d love to hear from you! 

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My first job was a secretary for a medical clinic in my hometown, as secretary I had to learn to write down information quickly and accurately - because rarely did people want to repeat back to what they had said especially if it included a hard to pronounce prescription. This skill has served me well in my journalism, especially during city council meetings. 

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I’ve found more parallels between my work as a secretary and journalism than I ever expected. Both require staying calm under pressure - whether that’s dealing with a crowded waiting room full of frustrated patients or holding your ground in a media scrum. Both also demand the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, from patients to politicians to unhoused people. 

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Most recently, my journalism has taken me to explore climate change on the Rideau Canal as well as new businesses in Coldwater. But I’m always curious about other issues and look forward to exploring and reporting on them in the future!