Chantelle Bellrichard awarded inaugural CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship

TORONTO, May 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Chantelle Bellrichard has been awarded The Canadian Journalism Foundation's inaugural CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship.

Bellrichard, an associate producer at CBC Vancouver and a web developer at the UBC Graduate School of Journalism, will use this opportunity to explore the newly implemented First Nations health governance model in British Columbia. Bellrichard's mixed heritage includes Métis ancestry.

"Chantelle impressed us with her proposal to investigate new models for health-care delivery in Aboriginal communities," says Robert Lewis, co-chair of the jury. "As well, she had a portfolio of previously published work for CBC and The Tyee and evinced a commitment to exploration and investigation."

The fellowship allows an Aboriginal journalist early in his or her career the opportunity to explore an issue of interest to First Nations, Métis or Inuit peoples while being hosted by CBC News for one month at its new Aboriginal centre in Winnipeg (www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal). The story or series resulting from the experience will be considered for publication or broadcast by CBC News. A stipend of $3,000, all associated travel and accommodation costs, a per diem for meals and other reasonable expenses, will be covered by the CJF

"The governance model is meant to address the disparity between health-care services for First Nations and those received by the general public," says Bellrichard. "When it comes to Aboriginal health, I would like to look beyond the grim statistics and focus on what's being done to improve health outcomes. I want to understand the promise of this new model and look critically at how it might precipitate change." 

This award will be presented at the 17^th Annual CJF Awards on June 4 in Toronto at The Fairmont Royal York.

The fellowship was established to foster better understanding of Aboriginal issues in Canada's major media and community outlets.

"I'm thrilled to see the enthusiasm and high quality of submissions from several up-and-coming Aboriginal journalists and journalism students," says Duncan McCue, jury co-chair and a correspondent for The National of CBC News. "We need more Aboriginal reporters, period. The CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship is an important step toward encouraging and promoting these promising voices."

Jury
Co-chair - Duncan McCue, Correspondent, The National, CBC News, and a member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario
Co-chair - Bob Lewis, Chair, ex officio, The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Nellie Cournoyea, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC)
Jack Nagler, Director of Journalistic Public Accountability and Engagement, CBC News
Melanie Paradis, Manager, Natural Resources & Aboriginal Affairs, NATIONAL Public Relations
Paul Watson, Reporter, Aboriginal and Arctic beat, Toronto Star

Thank you to CBC News, RBC Foundation, CN and Rosemary Speirs, a member of the CJF Board, for their generous support of this award.

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About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes excellence in journalism by celebrating outstanding journalistic achievement through an annual awards program; by organizing events that facilitate dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society; by supporting journalism websites, J-Source.ca English and ProjetJ.ca (French), in cooperation with the country's leading journalism schools; and by fostering opportunities for journalism education, training and research.

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Image with caption: "Chantelle Bellrichard is the recipient of the inaugural CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowship. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140523_C9723_PHOTO_EN_40688.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Journalism Foundation

Natalie Turvey
Executive Director
The Canadian Journalism Foundation
59 Adelaide St. E, Suite 500
Toronto, ON M5C 1K6
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