J-Source

CJF accepting applications for new Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship

This new fellowship offers an early-career Aboriginal journalist the chance to explore an issue of interest to First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples. The award aims to foster better comprehension of Aboriginal issues in Canada’s major media and community outlets. The recipient of the CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship will be hosted for one month by CBC…

This new fellowship offers an early-career Aboriginal journalist the chance to explore an issue of interest to First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples. The award aims to foster better comprehension of Aboriginal issues in Canada’s major media and community outlets.

The recipient of the CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship will be hosted for one month by CBC News at its new Aboriginal Centre in Winnipeg.

This new fellowship offers an early-career Aboriginal journalist the chance to explore an issue of interest to First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples. 

The award aims to foster better comprehension of Aboriginal issues in Canada’s major media and community outlets.

“This is a very special new initiative for CJF," says Bob Lewis, chair of the CJF. “It aims in a small way to help bridge the yawning gap between traditional news media and the oft-ignored stories of Canada's Aboriginal people. I hope it grows over the years as a significant platform for emerging Aboriginal journalists.”

"The issues facing Canada and Aboriginal peoples are now at the forefront of our national conversation and will shape the nation's future in the coming years," says the Assembly of First Nations' National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. "It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal people inform this discussion. The CJF's Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship will contribute to this important effort by supporting and promoting Aboriginal journalists and ensuring they have access to the media and mentors that will help them hone their craft and advance their careers."

The recipient will be selected by a jury.

To apply, use our online application. The deadline is April 30, 2014, 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Successful applicants will:

• Spend one month with CBC News at its new Aboriginal centre in Winnipeg (www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal).
• Have a training stipend of $3,000, all associated travel and accommodation, a per diem for meals and other reasonable expenses, provided by The Canadian Journalism Foundation.
• Be recognized at the 17th Annual CJF Awards on June 4, 2014 in Toronto.
• Write or produce an article/piece or series upon completion of their fellowship opportunity, which will be considered for publication or broadcast by CBC News.

Criteria

Applications will be welcomed from Aboriginal journalists—First Nations, Métis and Inuit—who for one to five years have been employed by, under contract to, or freelancing on the news and editorial side of regularly published newspapers and periodicals, television, radio, or online sites.

How to Apply

  • Submit a detailed proposal of no more than two pages outlining how you would like to use this opportunity to expand knowledge of a key Aboriginal issue.
  • Provide links to two examples of your work.
  • Include your resume.
  • Include at least one letter of recommendation from a relevant employer.

Apply now

All arrangements for the award assignment will be made in consultation with award winners.

For information, contact:
Natalie Turvey
Executive Director
The Canadian Journalism Foundation
nturvey@cjf-fjc.ca

Tamara Baluja is an award-winning journalist with CBC Vancouver and the 2018 Michener-Deacon fellow for journalism education. She was the associate editor for J-Source from 2013-2014.