The Canadian Press

Gillis Purcell Memorial Journalism Scholarship

The Gillis Purcell Memorial Journalism Scholarship is an annual award established in 1990 in honour of Gillis Purcell and his dedication to the quality of journalism as general manager of The Canadian Press from 1945 to 1969. The scholarship encourages Indigenous Peoples to pursue a career in journalism through a combination of studies at a Canadian post-secondary institution and experience in a newsroom. A gift of $4,000 is awarded to the successful applicant to defray education costs. Scholarship recipients with appropriate experience and qualifications may also receive an offer of temporary employment or other opportunities at The Canadian Press, at the sole discretion of the scholarship provider. The scholarship is open to both French and English-speaking Indigenous Canadians who are status or non-status Indian, Metis or Inuit. Applicants must already be attending a Canadian university or college and must be either enrolled in a journalism program or actively involved with a news organization associated with the institution such as a student paper or broadcast station.