September 17, 2007 

Kama Soles of Saskatoon has been awarded the Norm Bromberger Research Bursary for 2007.

Soles graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA Honours in psychology in 2002 and has begun a Master’s program in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Saskatchewan with an expected completion date of May 2009.

Soles led the creation of a housing co-op for people with disabilities, The Saskatoon Independent Living Co-operative, which was intended to allow people with disabilities a chance at home ownership. Kama has indicated that her experience with the housing co-op has inspired her interdisciplinary Master’s thesis at the Centre of the Study for Co-operatives, “Empowerment through Co-operation: Disability Solidarity in the Social Economy.”

Her research will frame such involvement in the social economy and community development in a language of empowerment, equality and inclusion, and contribute to the literature in many areas including disability studies, community economic development, co-operative studies, social cohesion and social capital.

The $2,000 bursary is awarded annually to support a research proposal that contributes to credit unions and co-operatives. Recipients must be actively involved in credit unions and/or co-operatives as volunteers, members or employees with preference given to Saskatchewan candidates.

The bursary was established in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by Norm Bromberger in the development of credit unions and co-operatives in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Bromberger, former Chief Executive Officer of Credit Union Central of Saskatchewan, also played a prominent role in the development of Credit Union Central of Canada. His participation on numerous boards and committees, including the Economic Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Payments Association also increased credit union awareness.

For additional information on this Norm Bromberger Bursary Award contact the Research Centre, SaskCentral, Box 3030, Regina, S4P 3G8. Application information is available from the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. The deadline for applications is June 30 each year.