September 26, 2008 - 8:11am
Vancouver Island University (VIU) installed Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo as the institution’s first Chancellor Thursday.
Chief Atleo’s appointment is significant because he is the first
Aboriginal person to be appointed as a Chancellor in the province of
British Columbia.
Atleo is a Hereditary Chief from the Ahousaht First Nation and
serves as the British Columbia Regional Chief of the Assembly of First
Nations.
At a ceremony in Nanaimo, Thursday, with dignitaries from across the
country present, Chief Atleo spoke of how far the BC education system
has come since his father Richard Atleo had been interned in a
residential school several decades ago.
"While it is important to honour our past, this is a time to focus
on the future," Chief Atleo said. "Educated communities are healthy
communities," he added, speaking about the important role education
plays in shaping the economy and communities.
"I am very proud to have been given this opportunity," he said.
"Vancouver Island University is an organization committed to the
advancement and empowerment of people, a commitment that mirrors my own
values."
As the BC Regional Chief, Atleo is also a founding member of the BC
First Nations Leadership Council (BCAFN, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and
First Nations Summit)
President and Vice Chancellor of VIU, Dr. Ralph Nilson said, "Shawn
has focused his efforts on the empowerment of the people and their
communities towards self-determination and building hope for the
future. He exercises leadership by first listening to gain an
understanding and then working collaboratively to make positive change.
It is these qualities and his strength of character that I believe will
make him an exceptional Ambassador and Chancellor for VIU."
To honour Chief Atleo’s installation, the University held
celebrations the week of September 22 – 26th in the communities of the
mid-Island and Sunshine Coast.
The theme of the week long installation was "The Journey", symbolic
of Vancouver Island University's 72-year journey of institutional
success.
To represent the journey Chief Atleo will now embark upon as
Chancellor for VIU, he presented each of the university’s four campuses
with a traditional hand-carved First Nations paddle. He asked for
everyone’s support in paddling together towards common goal and towards
the advancement of higher learning for the people of Vancouver Island.
Tags: In the Community
