Canada West Foundation Blog

We are now accepting applications for two positions in the Jim Hume Student Internship Program for the September to December 2010 term.  The application deadline is 5pm (MDT) Friday August 20, 2010. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Two internship positions are available. The internships are open to current students and recent graduates (up to 18 months) of a Canadian post-secondary institution, with majors in economics and/or political science. Successful applicants will:

• Have advanced analytical, research and communication skills, and the ability to conduct research and analysis on major energy, environmental and economic challenges in the western Canadian context.

• Have a passion for public policy and be able to work collaboratively to develop robust, evidence based, and thoughtful public policy recommendations for the benefit of Canada.

The internship starts on September 8, 2010 and ends on December 23 2010 (16 weeks).  The interns will work out of the Canada West Foundation’s Calgary office, will be paid $18/hour and will work 37.5 hours per week.

Please send the following items BY EMAIL to William Kimber with “FALL INTERNSHIP” in the subject line:

• cover letter outlining why you are interested in doing an internship at a public policy think tank, and how your capabilities fit the internship requirements above;
• resume, including awards and publications; and
• an unofficial transcript of your grades.

The program is designed to provide post-secondary students with a rewarding experience working at one of Canada’s leading public policy research institutes.

Posted by: Jason Azmier

When the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Paralympics is presented on Friday it will no doubt escape much of the public scrutiny that followed the Olympic ceremonies—the benefit of drawing a smaller audience.   Largely due to the success of the Olympic games themselves, there was certainly no shortage of opinion on what should and should not have been presented to the world as the proper representation of Vancouver and Canada.  Opinions abound on the need for more French culture, more local Asian influences, less Canadian odd-ball humour, more Celine and Cirque (or perhaps more Celine with Cirque?) and less giant flying moose.

While I’m having a hard time figuring out which ceremony was hated more (I’m leaning towards the Closing Ceremony), it seems everyone has had enough time figure out how they would have done a better job on both (e.g., remove jokes about peeing in snow).

Lost in this made-in-Canada need to criticize what we didn’t do is the praise due to the role that Aboriginal culture is having in presenting western Canada and these Olympic and Paralympic games to the world.  Western Canada’s Aboriginal heritage and imagery was the largest part of virtually every aspect of both these games, through the inukshuk logo, the artwork adorning the official souvenirs, the venues featuring First Nations themes, and perhaps most importantly, the medals presented to the athletes and photographed millions of times and now on their way to being shared around the world.

Throughout the Olympic games, Aboriginal leaders shared the same stages and podiums as prime ministers, presidents, kings and queens.  In formal ceremonies, Aboriginal leaders welcomed athletes and received the public thanks of the world for allowing these games to take place in their homelands.

These images should have a lasting positive legacy on Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal persons alike.  Watching their culture and leadership presented in such positive and important roles was undoubtedly a tremendous source of pride to young Aboriginal persons and suggests that there is a level of understanding and appreciation for their history among non-Aboriginals.

Similarly, as they head home athletes and visitors from around the world clutch medals, wearing t-shirt and hugs dolls that rich with the symbolism and imagery that contain details and descriptions of this important part of Canada’s history and people.   Today, there is a much greater awareness of the role of Aboriginal persons in the building of our country.   This can’t help but be another positive outcome of these games.

Posted By: Jason Azmier