Five University of Winnipeg faculty, from across disciplines, were recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal. This medal, marking His Majesty’s coronation on May 3, 2023, was given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to our country, province, or community.
Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LMFO), a medal nominating partner, chose to allocate the medals to three UWinnipeg Métis faculty who have demonstrated ongoing efforts to advance the well-being of Métis women, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and gender-diverse kin. Dr. Chantal Fiola, Dr. Laura Forsythe, and Dr.Yvonne Vizina, were flown to Ottawa this past March, to receive their awards.
Dr. Fiola, UWinnipeg’s Associate Vice-President Indigenous, has spent almost two decades researching and promoting Métis spiritual resurgence and refining a collaborative Métis community-centred methodology.
I have dedicated my life to learning, celebrating, and sharing the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples.
Dr.Yvonne Vizina
“I am deeply honoured to have been selected as a medal recipient by Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, the national organization representing Métis women and 2SLGBTQ+ folks – and to be in such good company,” shared Dr. Fiola. “Being recognized and uplifted by my nation in this way offers a powerful counterbalance to the recent uptick in anti-intellectualism and lateral violence in our communities and governments.”
Dr. Vizina, like Dr. Fiola, is grateful for being honoured by LMFO. Dr. Vizina’s teaching and research focuses on how Indigenous knowledges and sustainability ensures the well-being of future generations of Canadians.
“I have dedicated my life to learning, celebrating, and sharing the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples,” said Dr. Vizina. “My research focuses on how Indigenous knowledges and sustainability can help ensure the well-being of future generations.”
Dr. Jino Distasio
Others included in the medal line-up was UWinnipeg Métis recipient Dr. Cathy Mattes, who received her medal via the Indigenous Curatorial Collective in early March, and Dr. Jino Distasio, who was given the honour by his Member of Parliament at a ceremony in Winnipeg.
Dr. Mattes, who teaches art history, was nominated by the Indigenous Curatorial Collective (ICC/CA). Dr. Mattes is grateful for the important role the ICC plays in securing space and opportunities for Indigenous curators and artists.
“Without this Indigenous-led arts organization I wouldn’t have been able to pursue curatorial practice and critical art writing,” shared Dr. Mattes. “I also wouldn’t have been able to centre my PhD dissertation and much of my research, pedagogies and praxis on Indigenous curatorial practice as strategies for Indigenous knowledge transmission and community care.”
Dr. Distasio, a geographer who specializes in urban planning, was humbled by the award. He credits UWinnipeg for giving him the opportunity to do needed research to create solutions for housing across the country and in our neighbourhoods.
“This medal is a reflection of the important work in addressing mental health and homelessness in Canada,” shared Dr. Distasio. “I was part of the team that launched housing first in Canada in 2009. This early effort led to a transformation of how we can successfully end homelessness.”
