Indigenous language and governance specialists, a law educator, a marine naturalist and biological mathematics expert are some of the people to be handed honorary degrees at the University of Victoria’s spring convocation ceremonies.
Universities confer honorary degrees in recognition of learning, achievement, humanity and good citizenship. A person so honoured is then granted the opportunity to say a few words to graduating students.
UVic graduation ceremonies are at the Farquhar Auditorium in University Centre. Honorary degrees are going to:
• Ruby Peter, honorary doctor of laws, June 10, 10 a.m.
Peter, of the Quamichan First Nation, has dedicated her life to documenting, teaching and revitalizing the Hul’q’umi’num language, spoken by certain Indigenous peoples of Southwest Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and a portion of mainland B.C.
As a young woman, she noticed a shift in her own community to English away from Hul’q’umi’num. So she and her sisters approached UVic in 1970 to develop Native language training. Their involvement led UVic to develop North America’s first community-based programs to support Indigenous language teaching.
Peter co-authored the 1995 Cowichan Dictionary. Her knowledge and scholarship extends to cultural teachings: Traditional stories, weaving, dance and longhouse ceremony.
• John Edward Elliott Sr., honorary doctor of education. June 10, 2:30 p.m.
Elliott, an Elder of the Tsartlip Nation, is a scholar, teacher and mentor working to preserve and teach the traditional Indigenous language of his people.
He worked for 40 years at tribal school, immersing students from kindergarten to Grade 10 in the First Nations language. Elliott also worked and supported projects at UVic and Camosun College focusing on Indigenous knowledge and culture.
Elliott served many years as a member of the B.C. First Nations Education Council, working with languages and as a board member of the First People’s Cultural Council.
In 1999, he co-founded FirstVoices, an online Indigenous language resource.
• Joe Gallagher, honorary doctor of laws, June 11, 10 a.m.
Gallagher, a member of the Tla’amin Nation near Powell River, is a trail-blazer in expanding First Nations governance in B.C. and Canada.
The first CEO of the First Nations Health Authority, Gallagher has worked to advance “healthy, self-determining, and vibrant B.C. First Nations children, families and communities.”
Gallagher has served as a treaty negotiator for his own people and was director of programs at Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, B.C. Region.
He earned a bachelor of arts in 1987 at UVic, where he played for the Vikes soccer team, and, in 1983, played for Team B.C. at the North American Indigenous Games.
• Neil Gold. honorary doctor of laws, June 11, 2:30 p.m.
Gold has had a profound effect on how law is taught in Canada, with innovative and inspired teaching techniques.
A longtime advocate for experience-based learning, he was recruited to the UVic Law Faculty of Law in 1975 as a member of its founding group of law professors. He is also professor emeritus at the University of Windsor.
At UVic, Gold became the founding director of the Law Centre Clinical Law Program, the first program of its kind in Canada. Law students gain experience working in a legal clinic that provides advice and representation to disadvantaged people.
The clinic combines the services of local lawyers, social support groups and UVic’s School of Social Work blending various disciplines into the learning of legal work and its delivery.
• Andy Lamb, honorary doctor of education, June 13, 2:30 p.m.
Lamb is a pioneering marine naturalist and co-author of two landmark species identification guides for creatures living in the ocean environments of B.C. and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
His two books, Coastal Fishes of the Pacific Northwest (1986 and 2010) and Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest (2005) have sold thousands and are essential references for marine enthusiasts, specialists and scientists.
Lamb was certified as a dive instructor in 1967 and earned a bachelor of science in zoology from the University of British Columbia in 1971. He later worked for the Vancouver Aquarium and at the West Vancouver Lab of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Royal Canadian Geographic Society named Lamb a fellow in honour of his work.
• Simon Asher Levin, honorary doctor of science, June 14, 10 a.m.
Levin is a pioneer in the field of mathematical biology, applying mathematical formula and tools to ecology, epidemiology, the environment and evolution.
He first graduated with a degree in mathematics and his interests broadened at Cornell University to include biological systems such as modelling the spread of disease, population dynamics and community processes.
Levin’s research has also examined biological diversity and its implications. Most recently he has applied mathematics to the evolution and ecology of collective behaviour in flocks of birds, schools of fish and human decision-making.
On the human level, he is concerned with improving policy-making and addressing global environmental challenges.
Levin has been granted many awards including the National Medal of Science, bestowed by the U.S. president.
