CBC B.C. launches paid summer internships for young, aspiring Indigenous storytellers

Twenty years ago, Robert Doane started his career with CBC British Columbia. 

A journalism school graduate with a little experience in private radio, he was part of an internship program designed to teach and mentor young, aspiring Indigenous journalists. 

"[It] allowed me to get my foot in the door as a researcher," he said. "If it wasn't for that program more than 20 years ago, I would never have been able to be a host, a producer, to be in the role that I'm in today."

Now, as the leader of CBC's National Indigenous Strategy, Doane is excited about the launch of a new paid internship program designed specifically for First Nations, Inuit or Métis individuals aged 18 to 35, at one of five of CBC British Columbia's bureaus. 

CBC will hire a researcher, who will work out of either Victoria, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Kamloops or Kelowna for seven weeks. 

The public broadcaster is looking for candidates who are curious about a career in journalism and eager to learn more about different perspectives within their community. 

Those who get the job will shadow journalists, pitch story ideas for radio programs, write scripts, conduct interviews, gather audio and video in the field, among other things. 

Doane, who sparked the idea for the program, said it will help candidates learn whether journalism might be the right career for them, but it will also help bring new perspectives and ideas to the CBC. 

"I look at our small markets and I always have to ask the question, are we represented? Are we seeing ourselves reflected in the workforce and right now?" said Doane, who is Gitxsan and living and working on Lheidli T'enneh territory. "I'd say we're not."

"It's a way for us to bridge and build relationships with those communities and those territories in which we're on and get to know people better and to hopefully have them come in and reshape how we operate in the long term."

Alison Broddle, senior managing director for CBC in B.C., echoed Doane's sentiments around the benefits for the successful candidates and CBC's newsrooms. 

"We're very excited to be offering this program specifically designed for young Indigenous storytellers," Broddle said.  "We can see so many benefits, both for the individuals and their communities in having their stories shared, but also for our staff to see the potential of different perspectives in our newsrooms, as well as deepening our connections to Indigenous communities."

Those interested can apply here, with a cover letter, resume and a letter describing why this program feels like a good fit.