Three months in Norway, one in Finland and one in Labrador. One Indigenous graduate from Memorial University will have the opportunity to live and work abroad, gaining an international perspective on Indigenous affairs and bringing their experience back to Labrador.

The Labrador Institute International Indigenous Internship is a new opportunity funded by a grant from the International Grenfell Association.

The schedule is comprised of a three-month internship in Norway, beginning in January 2017, hosted by the Indigenous Peoples Secretariat (IPS), followed by a one-month internship in Finland at the University of the Arctic (UArctic).

A one-month community and school visit component, taking place throughout Labrador, will follow the internship abroad. These visits will be comprised of presentations that will focus on the intern’s individual experiences in university, as well as their international involvement. The fund allows for one intern a year for three years.

“The Labrador Institute is excited about this opportunity to give Labrador Indigenous graduates of Memorial the experience of living and working in other northern areas, and bringing these experiences home to benefit their own communities,” said Dr. Martha MacDonald, acting director of the Labrador Institute.

“The support of the International Grenfell Association in this and other LI projects demonstrates the value of the ongoing partnership between us and IGA, and we are most appreciative of their assistance.”

During the internship with IPS in Tromso, Norway, and the UArctic, specifically the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland, the intern will have a chance to be immersed in the culture of those countries and learn about the local Indigenous population.

The intern will be involved in international Indigenous affairs covering a range of topics including environmental protection, governance, cultural heritage, economic development, education, social justice, health and language retention.

They will have the freedom to work on a project that is of their own personal interest while at each institution and will also have the advantage of working on activities surrounding Arctic Council.

All costs associated with the program are included.

The program is meant to bring a new awareness of Indigenous and northern affairs and culture to young people in Labrador, with the hope of generating enthusiasm among Aboriginal students about pursuing higher education.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, between the ages of 19 to 30, who have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at Memorial University as of December 2016. The successful applicant must be legally entitled to work in Canada, be of Aboriginal/Indigenous descent and be from the Labrador portion of the province. The application form, as well as more information about the internship can be found on the Labrador Institute’s website. The deadline to apply for the first internship is July 15, 2016.