Funding available for TV training

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Snookie Catholique and Donna Smith have a few things in common. Both received funding for training through a foundation that would like to see more women working in the technical side of television. Both women are now back in their communities and reaping the rewards of their education, knowledge and experience.

The Women's Television Network is a foundation that funds women interested in the behind-the-scenes and technical side of television through the WTNdowment. The endowment covers travel costs, tuition fees, and living expenses.

According to Shirley Muir, executive director, the foundation started to fund women's television training in September 1997 and has been a success since. Its goal is to help advance women in the field of television technology. According to statistics, there are only about 10 per cent of women who work in this area of television.

Women who have worked in media for at least five years are encouraged to apply. However the foundation recognizes that women from the north may not have a full five years experience in media.

"We are quite flexible in accepting applications," said Muir.

Cathlique and Smith have worked in media for many years. Cathlique, who has worked with the CBC in Yellowknife, and Smith, who currently works in Whitehorse, have completed their WTN-funded training. Both Catholique and Smith received funding to attend a school of their choice and both chose to attend the Banff Centre for the Arts in southern Alberta.

Smith, who received the endowment in 1997, is employed by Northern Native Broadcasting. She took training to help her develop non-linear editing skills and she is the television station's editor.

"Winning the WTNdowment has helped me learn the modern technology," said Smith.

For Catholique, the road to success has not come easy. As a mother of three, just getting her foot in the door meant screaming until someone took her seriously.

''It takes sheer determination," said Catholique. "You have to be a good swimmer or you will sink." Her introduction to broadcasting came when she was approached by CBC to do interviews in the Dene language. She did this for three summers. In 1989, she was hired by the CBC as a full-time host and reporter.

" Working in broadcasting has always been a dream of mine," said Catholique "The WTN Foundation was able to help me to achieve some of my goals." Last month she successfully completed camera training in Banff.

Application deadline for this year's endowment is May 21. But it is recommended that all applicants apply early.

The WTN Foundation is solely funded by the Women's Television Network and seeks applications from Canadian women in broadcasting, film, and multimedia who want to upgrade their technical skills. Women who receive funding can train at some of the best television and multimedia schools or programs in the country.

This foundation also funds two more programs. The girls television camp is a summer camp for girls 12 to14 years of age. During the program the students get a chance to produce their own video.

The Women's Technical Internship program allows graduates of colleges or post secondary schools a chance to work as on-the-job trainees.