Gift of Knowledge

Chancellor’s Lecture on Indigenous Issues

Agenerous donation by the Hon. Graydon Nicholas and his wife Beth has helped launch a new lecture series on campus. The Chancellor’s Lecture on Indigenous Issues will bring Indigenous speakers to campus to speak about pressing issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada.

“It’s wonderful to be a part of this new development on campus,” said Graydon Nicholas, STU’s Chancellor and Endowed Chair in Native Studies. “Through this lecture, we will invite Indigenous scholars and Indigenous people from across our country who are gifted and who work tirelessly for the betterment of Indigenous communities.”

The inaugural lecture featured Dr. Cindy Blackstock, advocate for Indigenous children’s rights. In her lecture, “Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past,” she spoke about the importance of engaging people in learning about the diverse history of First Nations to prepare them to implement the TRC’s calls to action and create an equitable future for all children. A recording of the lecture is available at STU.ca/YouTube.

The Chancellor’s Lecture is funded by a $110,000 endowment established by the Nicholases. In addition, they have recently established the Hatchette-Nicholas Bursary for Indigenous students. This $300,000 endowment will fund need-based bursaries in memory of their son Michael and Beth’s brother Rick Hatchette.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has called for universities to be leaders in re-setting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. For STU, this has meant advancing reconciliation through education, dialogue, and collective action. The Senate Committee on Reconciliation is a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous professors, students, and staff who are leading the response to the TRC’s “94 Calls to Action.” The recently created Student Reconciliation Committee has also been very active in working with these objectives.

“STU has a significant number of Indigenous students, Indigenous faculty, a Chair in Native Studies, the Mi’kmaq/Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work, the Native Studies Program, Indigenous Language Programs, courses at St. Mary’s and Elsipogtog First Nations, Indigenous Experiential Learning, and the Wabanaki Centre. With these programs and supports, we are trying to be the leaders that the TRC has called us to be,” said Dr. Kim Fenwick (Acting) President and Vice-chancellor and Vice-president (Academic and Research).

“Graydon and Beth have been long-standing supporters of St. Thomas, and their personal commitment to education and community service aligns with our values.”

Graydon is a lawyer, jurist, former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada. As holder of the Endowed Chair in Native Studies, and as Chancellor, he has brought knowledge and perspective from his experiences in law, social work, Indigenous rights, and public service.

Beth is a lawyer who was Regional Manager of Court Services with the Provincial Department of Justice, and finished her career as Deputy Registrar of the Court of King’s Bench and Court of Appeal of New Brunswick. •

by Eric Lewis