We are pleased to announce the recipients for The Fur-Bearers Arts & Science Scholarship for 2024: Nadja Lubiw-Hazard and Nadia Xenakis. Thank you to everyone who applied and has shown interest in the scholarship program!
The Fur-Bearers Arts & Science Scholarship was created in 2021 to support individuals who are committed to improving coexistence with wildlife in Canada. The scholarship is awarded to support projects designed to promote coexistence through the use of art or through science-based projects. This year, The Fur-Bearers is awarding a scholarship in both the Arts stream and the Science stream. Click here to learn more about the Arts & Science Scholarship.
2024 Arts & Science Scholarship Recipients
Nadja Lubiw-Hazard, Ontario
My project is a children’s chapter book called Tizzy and Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink. The book introduces the difficult topic of fur farming to young readers in a gentle and age-appropriate way. Readers aged 6-9 will enjoy this story, narrated by spunky, seven-year-old Georgia, who lives with her moms and their dog, Tizzy. The book explores the issue of wild animals in captivity with a blend of humour and poignancy, creating a touching story of friendship and hope. It promotes coexistence by informing and inspiring readers to act with kindness, and to take action to protect wild animals. More broadly, the book joins the growing body of children’s literature that explores the humane treatment of animals in our society.
Nadia Xenakis, British Columbia
I will be writing a book chapter to synthesize the events of the Stanley Park coyote incidents that occurred in 2020-2021 and critically evaluate contributing factors as well as subsequent management decisions. A recurring theme of the chapter will focus on shortcomings of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation in the 21st century. The goals of my project are to provide a publicly available record of the coyote incidents that occurred in Stanley Park that are synthesized in one format so that the events can be referenced and not forgotten.