Maureen Googoo, a journalist with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network in Halifax and a member of the Canadian Media Guild, has been awarded a full tuition scholarship at Columbia University’s prestigious Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. Maureen will pursue a Master’s degree at the school, beginning in August.
“Good work in a very competitive year, you should be proud,” wrote Assistant Dean Robert Mac Donald in Maureen’s acceptance letter. “After a careful three month-long selection process, you have been chosen from a pool of extraordinary applicants to become a part of what we hope will be the most engaging, invigorating and challenging learning experience of your life.”
Maureen has been reporting for APTN since the seven-year-old network’s early days. She hopes that her recognition by Columbia helps open the door for other aboriginal journalists in Canada.
“It’s not always easy to do what we do, blazing a trail as aboriginal reporters working for the world’s first national aboriginal network,” Maureen says. “We often take a different approach to covering stories from the one taken by other national networks, but we’re still journalists. And it’s good to discover that somebody else out there, especially someone as renowned as Columbia University, recognizes it.”
Maureen will be taking a one-year leave of absence, beginning this summer, and plans to return to APTN in June 2007 with enhanced skills as a reporter and Master’s degree on her wall. Because she will be without employment income for nearly a year while she pursues her studies in New York City, the Guild is urging members to consider making a donation to Maureen to help her cover her living expenses in one the most expensive cities in the world. To make a donation, contact Karen Wirsig (karen@cmg.ca) at 416-591-5333, ext. 243, or 1-800-465-4149.