Up-and-coming Indigenous entrepreneurs and journalists get boost with gifts to U of R

Posted: September 28, 2017 12:00 p.m.

As CEO of Rawlco Radio, Gordon Rawlinson, C.M., S.O.M., understands the importance of good journalism. As engaged citizens, he and his wife Jill know that the time is right for Indigenous people to be at the forefront of their own businesses. Two recent gifts support the future of both. Saskatchewan Order of Merit photo

The Rawlinson Fellow in Indigenous Entrepreneurship

For the first time in history, the number of Canadians over age 65 outnumbers those under 15—except among Indigenous people. Between 2006 and 2011, the Indigenous population increased by 20 per cent compared to 5 per cent for the rest of the country.

To Saskatchewan-born philanthropists Gordon and Jill Rawlinson, that demographic points out the need for more Indigenous entrepreneurs. Their timely gift of $100,000 will establish the Rawlinson Fellow in Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the University of Regina’s Faculty of Business Administration.

Gordon Rawlinson, C.M., S.O.M. says, "I want the University to empower this country's up-and-coming Indigenous business leaders by giving them a world-class business education right here in my home province.”

The Rawlinson Fellow in Indigenous Entrepreneurship provides money for a fellowship appointment, enabling a faculty member within the University’s Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business to focus on Indigenous Entrepreneurship.

“The opportunity to concentrate on Indigenous entrepreneurship at this time in Canada’s history provides a unique way for us to reduce educational and employment disparity experienced by many Aboriginal Canadians,” says acting Dean of Business David Senkow. “This forward-thinking gift allows our Levene School of Business to be at the forefront of job creation for Indigenous people by Indigenous people.”

“Gordon and Jill Rawlinson have maintained a strong and longstanding commitment to the people of Saskatchewan, giving mindfully towards health care, the arts, and education,” says Dr. Vianne Timmons, University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor. “Their gift to our University is as timely as it is significant, allowing us to bolster our campus-wide Indigenization efforts, and more thoroughly engage our Levene School of Business in preparing Indigenous students to join the ranks of Canada’s successful business entrepreneurs.”

Rawlco Radio Ltd. Gift to School of Journalism

Good journalism is needed to separate facts from false information, and facts from opinion.

The timing could not be better for Rawlco Radio Ltd.’s gift of $100,000 to the University of Regina’s School of Journalism. The donation will help to ensure that students continue to receive a world-class education in their chosen field.

“The backbone to any media, especially radio, is to provide good accurate local information“, says Gordon Rawlinson. “That’s the motivation behind our gift, supporting the kind of quality education U of R’s School of Journalism is known for.” Rawlinson is CEO of Rawlco Radio Ltd., home to seven radio stations across Saskatchewan and Alberta.

“Upholding standards of ethical, balanced reporting while fostering critical thinking skills in Canada’s future journalists will be key to sustaining healthy, vibrant, and diverse communities within a democratic society,” says Dr. Vianne Timmons, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina. “We appreciate Gordon’s strong show of support for our journalism program and its students.”

The University of Regina’s School of Journalism is one of Canada’s leading journalism education programs, where students enjoy small class sizes and paid internships at media outlets throughout Canada.