CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Toronto – Jan. 25, 2021 – To amplify Indigenous voices and issues in the media, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF), together with CBC News, is now accepting applications to its CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships program, made possible with support of new fellowship sponsor Sobeys Inc.

The annual fellowships provide a unique opportunity for two early-career Indigenous journalists, with one-to-10 years’ experience, to explore Indigenous issues while being hosted for one month at the CBC’s Indigenous Unit in Winnipeg. This year, the fellowships may be conducted remotely. The application deadline is February 19.

“Our storytellers, our journalists, need space and opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” says fellowship jury member Tanya Talaga, an award-winning author, journalist and president and CEO of Indigenous production company Makwa Creative. “The CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship program opens doors for the next generation and, in doing so, our storytellers spread their knowledge to newsrooms across Canada. Both are needed steps as we work toward a more equitable Canada.”

Fellows receive a $4,000 stipend, while the CJF covers all associated travel and accommodation costs, a per diem for meals and other reasonable expenses.

“Sobeys is thrilled to support the CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships and CJF awards,” says Jacquelin Weatherbee, vice-president of communications and corporate affairs for Empire, corporate parent of Sobeys. “We are committed to creating meaningful inclusion opportunities within the communities we serve. It is our hope that the support of this program will amplify the important voices of Indigenous communities in a meaningful way.”

Past recipients and topics include: Charnel Anderson, now a staff writer with TVO based in northwestern Ontario, on how Georgina Island First Nation took back control of its lands and resources; Logan Perley, a reporter with CBC New Brunswick, on the challenges of revitalizing the Wolastoqey language; and Ntawnis Piapot, a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan on universities’ commitment to Indigenization.

This year’s recipients will be recognized at the virtual CJF Awards virtual ceremony on June 9.

Encouraging Indigenous voices and issues in the media

The CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships are offered to two Indigenous journalists with one to ten years of experience to explore an issue of interest, while being hosted for one month at the CBC News Indigenous Unit in Winnipeg. The award aims to foster better comprehension of Indigenous issues in Canada’s major media and community outlets. 

Successful applicants will:

• Spend one month (June, September or October, 2021) with the CBC News Indigenous Unit in Winnipeg . This may be offered as a remote experience. (www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous).

• Have a training stipend of $4,000, all associated travel and accommodation, a per diem for meals and other reasonable expenses, provided by The Canadian Journalism Foundation.

• 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.

The recipient will be selected by a jury. All arrangements for the award assignment will be made in consultation with award winners.

Judging Methodology
The judging panel is comprised of four to eight jurors who review all submitted entries through an online portal, rank the entries and then attend a meeting with their rankings to agree upon the recipients of the award. The recipients are announced in April or May, and are recognized at the annual CJF Awards virtual ceremony on June 9.

DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 19, 2021

ONLINE APPLICATION 
For information, contact:
Natalie TurveyPresident and Executive DirectorThe Canadian Journalism Foundationnturvey@cjf-fjc.ca