The following members of the University of Manitoba community are available to contact for comments regarding the passing of Elijah Harper:

Deborah Young, executive lead, Indigenous Achievement, 204-474-8753, or email: deborah.young@ad.umanitoba.ca

Niigaan Sinclair, Native Studies, 204-474-9686, or email: sinclanj@cc.umanitoba.ca

Peter Kulchyski, Native Studies, 204-474-6333, or email: peter.kulchyski@ad.umanitoba.ca

Elijah Harper, one of the strongest voices of Indigenous peoples, died suddenly this morning, May 17, 2013, as a result of heart failure, a complication due to diabetes. He was only 64 years old.

“On behalf of the entire University of Manitoba community, I express deep sadness at the passing of a great leader and Indigenous activist,” said David Barnard, University of Manitoba president and vice-chancellor. “He was one of our most honoured and respected former students, a great Canadian leader who used his remarkable gifts and talents to give back to his Nation.”

Deborah Young, executive lead, Indigenous Achievement at the University of Manitoba, said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Harper on numerous occasions and I was always struck by his humility, integrity and honesty. He was a tremendous First Nation leader and role model for everyone. His sudden passing is loss not only for Indigenous communities but for Canada.”

Harper was born on March 3, 1949 at Red Sucker Lake First Nation in northeastern Manitoba. As a child, he was one of many taken to a residential school, and shared his painful memories of his childhood later in life. Harper was elected Chief of Red Sucker Lake Band (now Red Sucker Lake First Nation) when he was only 29, years old, a sign of his vision and leadership.

In 1981, Harper was elected Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for Rupertsland, the first First Nations MLA ever elected. In 1996, he became Minister without portfolio for Native Affairs and Minister of Northern Affairs in 1997. In 1993, Harper was elected as Member of Parliament for Churchill and in January 1998 served on the Indian Claims Commission.

Harper is best known for his courageous blocking of the Meech Lake Accord in the Manitoba Legislature in 1990, raising an eagle feather to indicate his position of disagreement. This action blocked the constitutional amendment package negotiated by the Canadian government to gain Quebec’s acceptance of the Constitution Act of 1982, on the grounds that the accord was negotiated without the consent of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples.

Working and studying in uncomfortably warm or cool environments is not joyous. So please note that Physical Plant is working hard right now to ensure faculty, staff and students have comfort. Physical Plant is currently transitioning campus buildings from their heating to cooling systems and they aim to have all buildings switched to cooling by end of the day tomorrow, May 17.

Due to the complexity of the systems, transitioning the average campus building between its heating and cooling system takes about half a day if all goes well. As of the morning of May 16, only five buildings have yet to have their air conditioning running: Basic Sciences, Arthur V. Mauro Residence, Ellice, Grain Storage, and Wallace. If you are in one of those buildings, cool air will soon blow upon you.

The University of Manitoba will hold a Convocation Ceremony for medical graduates today May 16, 2013. The Faculty of Medicine Convocation will take place at 10:30 a.m. at University of Manitoba Brodie Centre Atrium, 727 McDermot Avenue.

Degrees will be conferred on 105 medical school graduates: 56 females and 49 males, including four Aboriginal students and 26 with rural attributes which include rural roots; rural work experience or rural volunteer experience.

The Class of 2013 is an exceptional group. Graduates include: the Faculty’s first hearing-impaired student. The medical faculty worked closely with Megan Jack and adopted a new way of teaching. The Faculty’s very own sleuth, Brett Houston, helped solve a blood mystery that had researchers and members of a Manitoba family completely baffled for decades. Donna Neufeld, an inner-city wife, and mom of four, returned to academia after 22 years. She has shown everyone around her what it means to persevere.

“When I look at the 105 MDs graduating today, I see a diverse group of individuals that have overcome many different challenges; whether it’s dealing with specific learning needs or balancing academic and family life,” said Brian Postl [MD/76], Dean, Faculty of Medicine. “These students represent and identify with the individuals they will go on to serve as physicians.”

This year, more than 70 per cent of the graduates are staying at the University of Manitoba to complete their residencies. “As a medical school we are dedicated to educating and training our graduates who will serve communities across the province and meet the health care needs of all Manitobans,” Postl said.
The Convocation also includes the presentation of an Honorary Doctorate degree to University of Manitoba alumnus Harry Bone.

Elder Harry Bone, BA (Brandon)

Elder Harry Bone has worked tirelessly and quietly throughout his life to bolster Indigenous rights. He serves as a source of inspiration to the Faculty of Medicine, which shares his goal of improving the lives of Indigenous peoples by respecting their individual and collective rights. He is awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba for working with respect and humility toward this honourable end. As a member of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation he served as a Chief and Director of Education, and has worked as a CEO at the West Region Tribal Council and as a Director of the Manitoba Indian Education Authority. While a graduate student in political studies at the University of Manitoba he was a Student Advisor and Lecturer. Elder Bone was also a Director of Native Programs for the Federal Government and he served as a Vice-President of Aboriginal Cultural Centres of Canada. His distinguished achievements in leadership, scholarship and public service have been widely recognized by the many individuals and communities who have been touched by his work. The University of Manitoba honours Elder Bone for his tireless and trendsetting work that continues to advance Aboriginal education in Canada.

Media are invited to obtain photos of the Class of 2013 during their procession at 10:25 a.m. or during the Hippocratic Oath near the end of the convocation.

Graduating students will be available for interviews prior to start of convocation at approximately 10:00 a.m. Please advise of your interest in conducting interviews with graduates in advance.

For more information, or requests for an interview, contact Ilana Simon, Director of Communications & Marketing, Faculty of Medicine, at: 204-789-3427 or 204-295-6777 (ilana.simon@med.umanitoba.ca).

Duaa Kanan, a third-year science student at the University of Manitoba, was recently presented with the Volunteer Service Award (Youth leadership category) by Premier Greg Selinger at the Volunteer Manitoba 30th annual dinner.

Kanan received the honour because she founded the Students Offering Support Program at the University of Manitoba. The organization offers tutoring for students but all proceeds are donated to students in poor rural communities.

“I am very passionate about volunteering and always strive to take action to make a positive change in my greater community,” she said. “Receiving this award is such a great honour and I am extremely grateful and thankful for everyone who supported me including my nominator, the judges, the event organizers and my family and friends. I am truly very proud to be part of Canada’s generous communities and thought about sharing this special event in my life with my university community and other students.”

www.manitobaSOS.com
Like them on facebook @ Students Offering Support Manitoba Chapter

The University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine will hold a Convocation ceremony for 105 MD graduates tomorrow.

Degrees will be conferred on 105 medical school graduates: 56 females and 49 males, including four Aboriginal students and 26 with rural attributes which include rural roots; rural work experience or rural volunteer experience. Elder Harry Bone will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws at the ceremony.

Who: 105 medical students
What: Faculty of Medicine Convocation
When: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May, 16, 2013
Where: Atrium, Brodie Centre, Bannatyne Campus, 727 McDermot Avenue, University of Manitoba

Honorary Degree Recipient: Elder Harry Bone, BA (Brandon)

Elder Harry Bone, BA (Brandon)

Elder Harry Bone has worked tirelessly and quietly throughout his life to bolster Indigenous rights. He serves as a source of inspiration to the Faculty of Medicine, which shares his goal of improving the lives of Indigenous peoples by respecting their individual and collective rights. He is awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba for working with respect and humility toward this honourable end. As a member of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation he served as a Chief and Director of Education, and has worked as a CEO at the West Region Tribal Council and as a Director of the Manitoba Indian Education Authority. While a graduate student in political studies at the University of Manitoba he was a Student Advisor and Lecturer. Elder Bone was also a Director of Native Programs for the Federal Government and he served as a Vice-President of Aboriginal Cultural Centres of Canada. His distinguished achievements in leadership, scholarship and public service have been widely recognized by the many individuals and communities who have been touched by his work. The University of Manitoba honours Elder Bone for his tireless and trendsetting work that continues to advance Aboriginal education in Canada.

Graduating students will be available for interviews prior to start of convocation at approximately 10:00 a.m. Please advise of your interest in conducting interviews with graduates in advance.

For more information, or requests for an interview, contact Ilana Simon, Director of Communications & Marketing, Faculty of Medicine, at: 204-789-3427 or 204-295-6777, or email: ilana.simon@med.umanitoba.ca.

Founded in 1883 as Western Canada’s first medical school, the University of Manitoba Faculty of Medicine has graduated more than 9,000 physicians who have become influential medical leaders, world renowned health researchers and dedicated doctors. As Manitoba’s only medical school, the U of M Faculty of Medicine has educated and trained the majority of our province’s physicians.

Emily Ashley, a fourth-year student at the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business, has been announced as this year’s recipient of the UMSU Student Involvement Award – Governance (the Ed Anderson Award).

The award recognizes students who have shown exemplary skill, initiative, and dedication to student governance at the U of M, and is worth $1,000.

Since entering the Asper School in 2010, Ashley has demonstrated a passion for philanthropy, building a stronger community, and improving the student experience of her peers.

She has a proven track record as an exceptional student leader. She served first as Social Programmer and then as President of the Commerce Students’ Association, representing over 1,700 students and strengthened ties between Asper students, faculty, UMSU and the local business community. She revised the CSA Constitution, co-founded the Asper Alumni Advisory Board, and created the CSA Conference Program, which sent six Asper students to two different national business school conferences.

Ashley also tackled many initiatives beyond the scope of her roles in the CSA. She developed and currently chairs the Board of Social Event Planners, which promotes safe and successful event planning across U of M faculties. She is co-captain for the Asper team participating in JDC West, the largest business school competition in Western Canada, and has sat on countless committees, including the U of M Alcohol Advisory Board and the Young Associates. She has previously been recognized as an Emerging Leader Award recipient by the University of Manitoba.

Her commitment to philanthropy is equally outstanding. Ashley has dedicated her leadership to U of M fundraising and community initiatives such as Shinerama, Face the Flood, and 5 Days for the Homeless.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized by UMSU with the Ed Anderson Award,” says Ashley. “When I started my B.Comm. (Hons) degree, I wanted to make the most out of my experience. The Asper School of Business has taught me that business is about so much more than the bottom line, and I am forever grateful for the opportunities for personal and professional growth my faculty has given me inside and outside the classroom.”

For more information please contact Judy Wilson, Asper School of Business, Marketing and Communications, at 204-474-8960 (Judy.Wilson@ad.umanitoba.ca).