Watershed Sentinel is pleased to launch the second round of our junior reporter mentorship program for Indigenous writers between the ages of 18 and 30.
Our goal with this program is to contribute to capacity-building in journalism in Western and rural Canada, through hands-on learning opportunities with direct mentorship by an experienced Indigenous journalist. Skills will be developed through an especial focus on environmental reporting, but will be applicable across all types of reporting.
Watershed Sentinel encourages Indigenous youth to apply from remote communities as well as urban centres. There are no prior educational requirements – what’s most important is a passion for sharing stories that need to be told, and genuine interest in journalism as a potential career path. While the program includes payment for training hours and finished articles, it is primarily a learning opportunity, designed to provide young writers with training and hands-on experience in all aspects of journalism.
Successful applicants will be mentored through:
Story Workshops: In two story development workshops per month, you will receive hands-on skill building in the steps from conception to interviewing, copy writing, editing, and publica-tion.
Direct Mentorship: You will be provided with guidance from an experienced Indigenous jour-nalist to maintain story quality and technical standards throughout story development.
Publication: You will publish 1-2 articles per print issue (5 print issues/yr). Some stories may be assigned, and participants will also be encouraged to develop and pitch their own story ide-as. Stories will be published in print and/or online under non-commercial creative commons license.
Details:
Applications are currently open and will remain open until all three available spots are filled; applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Program duration: One year (5 magazine issues)
Remuneration:
- Training stipend – $20/hr for approximately 4 hours/month attending story work-shops
- Payment for completed articles – 25c/word to the specified length for 1-2 short form (approx 500 word) articles per issue.
How to Apply:
Apply by email to claire@watershedsentinel.ca until September 29.
Please include:
- A statement of interest, explaining why you are interested in and would be well suited for this program
- Your resume
- 1-3 samples of your own writing (of any kind, does not need to be published)
Feedback from previous participants:
“I’m grateful to Watershed Sentinel for providing my first real opportunity to cultivate a career in journalism. This internship gave me a safe space to exercise and develop my writing voice. I also appreciate the staff who are very helpful and understanding.”
—Kaylee Nitsiza, Tłicho Dene, Grande Prairie, AB
“The Mentorship was an incredible opportunity to work under several experienced and passionate people! Throughout the process I was able grow and form my passion for writing, and open doors to help pursue journalism in the future.”
—Pa̱x̱a̱la, Desiree Manilla, Da’naxda’xw, Kamloops, BC
About Watershed Sentinel Magazine
Watershed Sentinel Writer’s Guidelines
Click to download this page as a PDF
Watershed Sentinel Philosophy:
People powered, bottom-up media
Amplify and learn from Indigenous viewpoints
Give voice to grassroots and community activists
Reflect, not dictate
Explore, not pre-determine
Provide balance, a voice to all sides within an environmental and social justice perspective, with content inclusive of science and passion, environmental justice and conservation.
