Congratulations to PhD candidate Kanatase Horn, who has been awarded a New Sun Graduate Bursary!
Mr. Horn’s research focuses on Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system in urban contexts (with a focus on the city of Ottawa). More specifically, he is focusing on restorative justice/alternative justice programs, and their effectiveness in urban spaces. The crucial element in his research is the idea that a program’s effectiveness is intimately linked to the program’s ability to assert sovereignty/jurisdiction over urban spaces in order to reclaim them as Indigenous space, which challenges the colonial legacy of viewing urban spaces as settler/civilized spaces. In other words, Mr. Horn’s research will explore the interwoven relationship between reclaiming of urban spaces as Indigenous spaces through political processes, and reducing Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system.
About the Bursary
The New Sun Graduate Bursary is awarded annually to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students at the masters or doctoral level who are studying in fields such as aboriginal governance, public administration, social work, architecture and environmental studies. Preference is given to those candidates who have demonstrated a willingness to use their knowledge and skills to benefit First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis communities. These bursaries are awarded by the Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs upon the recommendation of a committee representing all graduate fields of study. Eligible recipients must be Canadian Citizens or permanent residents of Canada, and must meet OSAP’s Ontario Residency requirements. Recipients must also demonstrate financial need.
The bursary was established in 2008 by Joy Harvie Maclaren (BSC ’44, LLD ” McGill University). Joy was born in Calgary in 1922 and is a passionate supporter and advocate of Aboriginal and Inuit peoples. Continuing the legacy of her father, who was given the honorary title of “Old Sun” in 1962 by the Blackfoot nation in Alberta, Joy was given the name “New Sun” by elders from three Aboriginal tribes; the Blackfoot nation in Alberta, the Mohawk nation in Akwasasne, Quebec, and the Ojibway in Ontario. A special naming ceremony was held at Carleton University’s Alumni Park in 1993 to recognize Joy’s commitment to promoting aboriginal culture and education across Canada. By establishing the New Sun bursaries for Canadian First Nations students, Joy is continuing her father’s tradition of supporting the further education of Canadian First Nation people’s in universities across Canada.