Aboriginal candidates sought for professional journalism development program

Winnipeg, MB – Canada’s National Screen Institute (NSI) is calling for applicants for its newest training program:

NSI Aboriginal Journalism. This pilot program is designed for Aboriginal candidates with prior journalism experience, or media experience in a related field, who want to hone their skills and abilities. After completing the program, participants will possess the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to accelerate their careers in journalism.

Apply by Monday, September 27, 2010, 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Details and an application form are here.

Up to 8 participants will be chosen for this pilot program. The NSI Aboriginal Journalism program combines workshops and case studies delivered by experts in the field, exposure to Winnipeg newsrooms and a four week internship at a media outlet.

"We’re thrilled to launch this innovative pilot program with the vision and creativity of Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community, broadcasters, and Red River College,” said Derek Luis, CEO of the National Screen Institute. "We believe we’ve created a groundbreaking training initiative. There’s a need for well-trained Aboriginal journalists to bring an authentic voice and cultural perspective to the public through traditional broadcasters and online media."

Phase one – (eight weeks): Three days per week will be spent in classroom and workshop situations at the NSI Aboriginal Training Centre and two days will be spent in a local newsroom. Industry experts will share their experiences with students. Topics will include journalism principles, research techniques, critical thinking, pitching, online journalism, journalism law, social media, job preparedness and more.

Phase two – (four weeks): Participants who successfully complete phase one will be placed on a four week internship with a local media organization.

The Program Advisor is Neil Coligan. Coligan is an experienced journalist who has worked in radio, TV and print across Canada for more than 20 years. Most recently he was Executive Producer of News and Current Affairs for Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). He has worked for CBC, CTV, Global and Citytv and the Government of Manitoba. Originally from southern Ontario, Neil has served as President of two festivals in Winnipeg and currently sits on the board of Freeze Frame, the media arts centre for young people, as well as the committee for the Manitoba Music Experience.

NSI staff members Brandice Vivier and Ursula Lawson are the Program Managers. Vivier has worked in film and TV for 15 years. At NSI she currently manages NSI Totally Television and works with the NSI Online Short Film Festival and the Featuring Aboriginal Stories Program. She has also worked with NSI Storytellers, NSI Drama Prize, NSI Pitch to Win!, NSI Global Marketing, Telefilm Canada Spark Plug and DiverseTV.

Lawson has been with NSI for over five years. She has worked on many of its training programs in a variety of capacities. Her responsibilities include Program Co-Manager, NSI New Voices; Coordinator, NSI Global Marketing; and Executive Assistant to the NSI Board of Directors.

NSI Aboriginal Journalism is made possible by Presenting Sponsors: The Government of Canada, The Manitoba Government; Program Partners: The Winnipeg Foundation, Manitoba Culture, Heritage and Tourism, CBC, APTN, CTV, Red River College; Strategic Sponsor: The City of Winnipeg.

Canada's National Screen Institute (NSI) is a national training school widely known for its prestigious training programs for Canadian writers, directors and producers working in film and television. NSI also runs a year-round online short film festival.
The National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) operates with ongoing funding from Core Funders: Manitoba Culture, Heritage, and Tourism, the City of Winnipeg through the Winnipeg Arts Council; Benefactor: Canwest; Patrons: Telefilm Canada, CTV and the CTV/CHUM Benefits; Builders: Rogers, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation; Contributors: NBC Universal, Women in Media Foundation, The Government of Canada, The Manitoba Government; Friends: ZoomerMedia, The Winnipeg Foundation.

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