Five stellar citizens whose stewardship in improving access to math, Indigenous language, history, and environmental education has had profound influence in Manitoba and beyond, will be recognized at The University of Winnipeg’s Spring 2019 Convocation ceremonies.
Environmental steward and elder, Dave Courchene; Indigenous historian and elder, Ruth Christie; mathematician and educator John Mighton; and Indigenous language educators Ida Bear and Annie Boulanger, will receive honorary degrees at three separate ceremonies taking place June 13 and 14 in UWinnipeg’s Duckworth Centre.
“These individuals all care deeply about the next generation and have made significant contributions towards ensuring our future leaders are equipped to succeed,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “It makes me very proud to recognize their work with these honorary degrees.”
Elder Dave Courchene, Honorary Doctor of Laws (photo supplied).
Dave Courchene (Honorary Doctor of Laws) will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Thursday, June 13; 9:30 am | Arts ceremony
Dave Courchene — Nii Gaani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man) — is being honoured for his vital role promoting peace, cultural understanding, and environmental sustainability. He is a respected elder and knowledge keeper of the Anishinaabe Nation who has devoted his life to environmental stewardship.
Elder Ruth Christie, Honorary Doctor of Laws. (photo supplied).
Ruth Christie (Honorary Doctor of Laws) will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Thursday, June 13; 9:30 pm | Arts ceremony
Elder Ruth Christie is being honoured for her enduring commitment to sharing Indigenous history. She is a distinguished community-based scholar, knowledge keeper, and storyteller who has influenced generations through her important work in public history and as a mentor.
John Mighton, Honorary Doctor of Science (photo supplied).
John Mighton (Honorary Doctorate of Science) will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Thursday, June 13; 2:30 p.m. | Science, Business, and Economics ceremony
An author, playwright, mathematician, and educator, John Mighton has dedicated his life to improving access to education. He created the JUMP Math program to make math more accessible to children of all backgrounds. It is now the core kindergarten-to-grade-8 math program for approximately 170,000 students in Canada, 16,000 students in the United States, and 40,000 students in Spain. It’s also the core math program for nearly 20 per cent of Indigenous students in First Nations across Canada.
Ida Bear, Honorary Doctor of Laws (photo supplied).
Ida Bear (Honorary Doctor of Laws) will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Friday, June 14; 9:30 am | Education, Kinesiology and Applied Health, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Theology ceremony
Ida Bear is being honoured for her lifetime commitment to Indigenous language education. She has played a pivotal role in the revitalization and protection of Indigenous languages in Manitoba. Originally from Norway House Cree Nation, she is an inspirational teacher and Indigenous language advocate with decades of experience teaching Indigenous languages to students of all levels.
Annie Boulanger, Honorary Doctor of Laws (photo supplied).
Annie Boulanger (Honorary Doctor of Laws) will be recognized at UWinnipeg’s Friday, June 14; 9:30 am | Education, Kinesiology and Applied Health, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Theology ceremony
Annie Boulanger is being honoured for her longstanding commitment to Indigenous language preservation and revitalization. She has played a pivotal role in the revitalization and protection of Indigenous languages in Manitoba. Originally from Berens River First Nation, she has dedicated her life to the preservation, retention, and revitalization of the Ojibwe language and the culture and history of the Anishinaabe people.
In recognition of exceptional service, achievement, and distinction, The University of Winnipeg presents a variety of awards to deserving members of the University family and wider community twice annually at convocation. Find out more at 2019 Spring Convocation.
