First Nations leader honoured for lifetime of dedication

Gordon Reid has devoted himself to First Nations education for more than forty-five years. On June 3, 2008, his years of dedication and service were awarded with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Vancouver Island University.

“This is, without a doubt, the most fantastic time of my life,” said Reid. “Being recognized by my peers for what I’ve done and what I continue to do for my people is an amazing feeling.”

“Gordon Reid’s commitment to education in British Columbia has been exemplary,” said VIU President, Dr. Ralph Nilson. “His dedication to his students and to the First Nations community sets an example for teachers and educational administrators around the province, the country and the world. He is a respected Elder who has shared his knowledge with students at VIU and many other educational institutions across the province, fostering cultural learning and wealth. We are honoured to award him a Doctorate of Letters from Vancouver Island University.”

In 1960, Reid got his first teaching job in Hazelton, but by 1966, he had become Vice Principal, counsellor, and coach of the volleyball, basketball and soccer teams. Reid was not only one of the first aboriginal teachers, but was the first aboriginal educational administrator in British Columbia.

In 1970, Reid was hired by the provincial government as a consultant on First Nations education, which was one of the first steps towards the creation of the Ministry of Aboriginal Education. As a consultant, Reid visited every school in the province that had First Nations students.

“Conditions for First Nations students were quite poor back then,” said Reid. “I wrote a report on those conditions and it was the start of a lot of changes.”

 In 1975, Reid became a principal at an elementary school in Hazelton. At the time, the attendance was very poor and the kids weren’t having a lot of success. After three years with Reid as principal, the school had 97% attendance. While there, Reid put in place several programs designed to raise the self-esteem of his students and create an atmosphere that would allow them to learn to the best of their abilities.

In the next few years, Reid stayed busy as an administrator, lecturer and Ministry representative. In 1977, he won the Queens Medal for Leadership in Education.

By 1990, Reid was the chair of the advisory committee at Malaspina and also served on the Malaspina Board of Governors for several years. He was instrumental in promoting the Arts One First Nations program and the Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies. He emphasised hiring First Nations staff. At the time, only one First Nations person was employed at Malaspina. Now, there are 17 employees at VIU, many with Master’s degrees.

“That number and that level of education sets an example for students,” said Reid. “When young people see that, they see a different future for themselves.”

“Gordon has a long history as a leader and advocate for First Nations learners in the area of public education,” said Sharon Hobenshield, Director of Aboriginal Education at VIU. “Gordon doesn’t focus on the challenges of public education, but instead focuses on the opportunities. He does not demand access or equity for Aboriginal learners - he simply expects it.  He has the expectation that Aboriginal learners can and will be successful in their pursuits.”

Despite having retired several times, Reid continues to find himself drawn to helping others, especially those who seek out a better education for themselves. He is always looking for ways to improve First Nations education. Even now, after so many years in education and so many stories to tell, he continues his work as a Resident Elder at the First Nations House of Healing at Tsa Kwa Luten Lodge on Quadra Island and Tsow-Tun Le Lum Treatment centre in Lantzville and with a First Nations kindergarten class in Courtenay, where he acts as a visiting elder, helping students gain an understanding of who they are and what it means to be aboriginal.

“I feel a strong obligation to my people to explain what life has to offer,” said Reid. “I love what I am doing. Despite all the things that can make life difficult, you just don’t let those things get you down. There’s just so much to enjoy in life.”