Bill Mason Scholarship

The Bill Mason Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to the late Bill Mason, a Canadian recognized both nationally and internationally as an avid canoeist, environmentalist, filmmaker, photographer, artist and public speaker.

Established by Paddle Canada in 1990, with the permission and input of the Mason Family, the scholarship is intended to incorporate some of the characteristics that made Bill Mason unique and to help ensure that the memory, spirit, and ideals that he represented are kept fresh in the minds of Canadians.

Paddle Canada is proud to award this annual scholarship of $2000 to assist with the education of tomorrow’s environmental stewards  those people who help make a difference in the kind of world we live in today and pass on to future generations.

About Bill Mason: Artist, Paddler, Environmentalist, Inspired Filmmaker

Few people have had the influence that Bill had in shaping the Canadian identity. His films, produced at the National Film Board, have been mainstays in Canadian schools for the last 40 years, says his friend, cameraman, and biographer Ken Buck.

Born in Winnipeg in 1929, Bill Mason showed an early interest in both art and canoeing. As a youth, he was a Manitoba Pioneer Camp guide and instructor. After he graduated from the Manitoba School of Art with a Diploma in Commercial Art, he worked as a commercial artist in Winnipeg, taking the summers off to go canoeing. Bill’s strong Christian beliefs helped develop his views on environmental responsibility.

Later, as a film animator with Crawley Films in Chelsea, Quebec, and then as a filmmaker with the National Film Board of Canada (1962-1984), Bill was able to combine his skills in art, photography, and animation to write, produce, direct, and act in his own films.

Many of his 19 films received nominations for nearly 70 different international awards and were recognized with five Canadian Film Awards, four Golden Sheaf Awards (Yorkton Film Festival), three British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA) and two OSCAR nominations.

Bill married Joyce Ferguson in 1959. She was his touchstone with reality, tempering his manic work ethic,” according to Ken Buck. Their children, Paul and Becky are themselves accomplished artists and internationally recognized canoeists.

How to Apply

We are pleased to offer an online application process again this year. Please ensure you have all the required documents ready to upload.

Application Deadline

Applications open: May 1, 2025

Applications close: September 30, 2025

Helpful Hints for Completing Your Application

If you need help, do not be afraid to ask. Feel free to contact Paddle Canada if you have any questions or concerns. A university counsellor, college advisor, your parents, or even another student may also be of service.

Follow the instructions carefully. Complete all sections, as incomplete sections will be awarded a value of zero.

Proofread, proofread, and proofread again! Misspelling and grammar errors may reflect poorly on your application. Have a friend or relative double-check your work.

Make certain your application is received on time. The application deadline is midnight on September 30 of the current academic year. Incomplete or late packets will be rejected unless Paddle Canada is given prior notification.

Write a letter of thanks if you receive an award. Other than being the polite thing to do, if you are planning to apply for scholarships again in the future, a thank-you letter for past scholarships goes a long way in impressing the scholarship committee.

On behalf of the Scholarship Committee, Paddle Canada would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to the many individuals whose generous donations have contributed to Bill Mason’s stewardship dream.