The first Indigenous graduates of the University of Alberta were trailblazers, paving the way for the current Indigenous students, staff and faculty at the university. They have made substantial contributions to advancing Indigenous issues over the last 40 years in Canada, as well as internationally. The life’s work of these alumni has been advancing the rights of Indigenous peoples in the face of often unimaginable discrimination and oppression.
When they were students, they participated in the foundational work of establishing Indigenous programs and services at the U of A, including what has evolved into the Aboriginal Student Services Centre, the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program, and the Faculty of Native Studies. After graduation, they went on to become educators, authors, activists, artists, lawyers, leaders, negotiators and elected officials.
Honouring and acknowledging their efforts and wisdom, the University welcomed more than twenty Indigenous alumni back to North Campus last fall for three days of discussion and re-connection. The gathering included (pictured above) Elmer Ghostkeeper, Cindy Kenny Gilday, Robert Beaulieu, Patricia Makokis, Margaret Kappo, Wilton Littlechild, Billy-Joe Laboucan, Nora Yellowknee, Marjorie Dressyman-Lavallee, Bridget Fanta, Darrell Loyer, Sarah Price, Marilyn Buffalo, Sheila Steinhauer-Mozejko, Allan Tallman, Cora Weber-Pillwax, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Mary Cardinal-Collins, Wanda Beland, Deborah Young (not pictured), and Pearl Calahasen (not pictured). Those alumni who have passed were also honoured during an Elder-led ceremony of remembrance.
The gathering gave alumni a chance to strengthen and build relationships with current Indigenous students, faculty, and staff who were also in attendance.
As students, many of the alumni present benefited from the encouragement of elders who once guided them through their university careers.
Today, these alumni can serve as a link from the past, bringing their knowledge and wisdom forward to help current and future students and the wider university community to build on their momentum and growth. They began a discussion, along with university leadership, to form both a Grand Council of Indigenous Elders and Alumni Chapter at the University of Alberta.
The U of A continues to identify and contact Indigenous alumni to re-engage them with the university.
Special thanks to Bryce Morin, Lyle Tootoosis, Colin Raine for sharing their songs. Special thanks is also offered to Akemi Matsubuchi and Vi Warkentin for their photography.