Indigenous Student MLIS Education Bursary

Eligibility

The bursary is open to any person of Canadian Indigenous Ancestry (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit). At the time of application, the applicant must be either accepted to or enrolled in a part-time or full-time ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science graduate degree program or equivalent.

Applicants must not have received this award in the past. Candidates will not receive the Maureen Woods Education Bursary and this award in the same year. Preference will be given to Saskatchewan residents or persons with strong Saskatchewan connections.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be considered on the basis of demonstrated ability to fulfill program requirements (indicated by academic achievement and/or references), leadership potential, interest in the profession, demonstration of competencies required of professional librarians of today, and connection to and interest in Saskatchewan.

Applications for the bursary must include:

a) A completed Indigenous Student MLIS Education Bursary online application form;

b) A cover letter;

c) An up-to-date resume;

d) A personal statement of no more than 500 words outlining the applicants cultural connections and how their lived cultural experience has contributed to shaping their interest in librarianship. (Note: This information may form part of the cover letter.);

e) Legal documentation stating identification as an Indigenous person and/or a letter from a recognized member or leader of your Indigenous community that attests to your identity and specifies your engagement with your community;

f) A letter of reference from an employer, teacher, or professor who can attest to the applicant’s ability and commitment to completing the MLIS program; and,

g) Applicants may choose to send post-secondary academic transcripts, but they must be sent directly to the SLA office. Transcripts are not required; however, applicants may submit them as an indication of their ability to complete the program.

A short interview with finalists may be required.

How to Apply

Please fill out the online application form. If you have any questions about your application, please email the SLA office at info@saskla.ca.

Any accompanying reference letters, electronic transcripts, or electronic proof of enrollment can be emailed to info@saskla.ca. Physical copies of any documents can be mailed to:

Saskatchewan Library Association
Suite 14 – 1870 Lorne St.
Regina, SK
S4P 2L7

General Information

The SLA Board issues a call for applications and establishes submission deadlines. Grant applications are reviewed by the SLA Awards Sub-Committee. For more information about the bursary, please contact the SLA office by calling 306-780-3633 or by emailing info@saskla.ca.