She did the work. She earned the honour. All that remained was determining a way to give Valerie Bob the proper recognition.
Bob, 66, could not attend a traditional ceremony to receive her Doctor of Philosophy (Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies) from Simon Fraser University since sheB次元官网网址檚 bed-ridden with terminal cancer. ThatB次元官网网址檚 where conventional thinking went out the window to make the special moment still happen for Bob.
Drs. Dorothy Christian and George Agnes from the Graduate Studies office at SFU came to her home on Penelakut TribeB次元官网网址檚 Tsussie Reserve to present Bob with her degree last Wednesday, Aug. 9, with a circle of proud family members and friends in attendance. Christian and Agnes also brought along full PhD graduation regalia to make the ceremony as authentic as possible under the circumstances.
B次元官网网址淭his is the first PhD conferred in this manner at SFU,B次元官网网址� confirmed Agnes.
Older sister Jill Harris said Valerie is an amazing woman of courage and she was pleased to host invited guests for the unique ceremony.
B次元官网网址淭his celebration would not be happening as it is unfolding if someone had not decided that it was time to step B次元官网网址榦ut of the box,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� acknowledged Harris.
It was indeed a poignant ceremony that touched upon everyoneB次元官网网址檚 heartstrings given BobB次元官网网址檚 condition.
Penelakut Tribe Elder Harris pointed out Valerie has been battling cancer for three years, but throughout her illness and treatment continued to work on her dissertation and fulfilled requirements for her PhD. Valerie received a BachelorB次元官网网址檚 degree with a Major in Sociology from Seattle University and a further degree of Master of Native American Special Education from Antioch University in Washington State.
The collective regalia, the robe, the hat and the hood brought by Christian and Agnes are all symbolic.
Agnes noted hats clearly have utility and significance in Indigenous cultures. And the hood, part of the regalia unique to the university, also has significance.
B次元官网网址淒ating back at least 800 years, it was symbolic of a learned individual, and likely modelled after robes worn by monks,B次元官网网址� Agnes pointed out. B次元官网网址淚n the present, the hood is not worn up as a hood, but likely was in fact a real hood 800 years ago, to keep warm. The hood has coloured cloth organized to be indicative of the university where the PhD was earned, and the hood in particular is now intended to be worn off the individualB次元官网网址檚 back where the colours, and by extension, the university, is displayed.B次元官网网址�
The regalia was prominently displayed on a chair in BobB次元官网网址檚 home while family members and the university representatives spoke about her.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been working with her during her PhD program,B次元官网网址� said Christian, associate director for Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy in Graduate Studies. B次元官网网址淲hen I first met Valerie, it was just after COVID on Zoom. We had numerous conversations on Zoom about her PhD work. I had just started my job in graduate studies. This is a new position.B次元官网网址�
Christian said itB次元官网网址檚 a role she takes most earnestly and a plan for the historic day was put into action and evolved over time.
B次元官网网址淰al was in a precarious situation with her health,B次元官网网址� Christian noted. B次元官网网址淗ow do we make sure she gets her degree? I had to do things outside the usual boxes.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 where she said Agnes came in for the many things he does within the boxes at the university.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just so glad we were able to do this,B次元官网网址� said Christian. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 have words. I know how much it meant to her because we talked about that.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭his was an interesting opportunity for us,B次元官网网址� added Agnes, associate dean of Graduate Studies. B次元官网网址淚t was easy for me because Dorothy said B次元官网网址楪eorge, you need to do this.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淒orothy and I had lots of help within graduate studies, amazing individuals who assisted from in-graduate studies as well as other offices across the university,B次元官网网址� Agnes pointed out.
B次元官网网址淭his is the perfect example of what our mom told us,B次元官网网址� said Harris. B次元官网网址淢y mom said know everything about who you are and never forget who your family is.B次元官网网址�
Bob was surrounded by family for the special occasion while she listened from her adjoining bedroom.
B次元官网网址淪o thankful to have this opportunity to join her where sheB次元官网网址檚 at to celebrate her hard work,B次元官网网址� said Cowichan Tribes Chief Lydia Hwitsum, who was there in a family member capacity as a cousin.
B次元官网网址淎ll our lives weB次元官网网址檝e been inseparable,B次元官网网址� said friend Loretta Cook. B次元官网网址淲e had fun together. IB次元官网网址檓 very glad to be here today. ItB次元官网网址檚 a treasured moment, an honoured moment to be here to witness whatB次元官网网址檚 happening.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭here was some big struggles,B次元官网网址� said Cecelia Elliott, who served as Penelakut TribeB次元官网网址檚 education co-ordinator for 18 years. B次元官网网址淰al wholeheartedly knew she was going to make a better place for her children, her grandchildren, her people.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲hat a great role model she is for her children and the babies that are coming up,B次元官网网址� added sister Fran Bob. B次元官网网址淥ur late mom was always encouraging to get an education.B次元官网网址�
She praised ValB次元官网网址檚 daughter Sophia for being so dedicated to the care of her mom now and actually sleeping in the room with her during this difficult time.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really proud of my mom for her accomplishments,B次元官网网址� said an emotional Sophia. B次元官网网址淪he went through a hard time for a long time with just me. She always told me youB次元官网网址檙e home now, just do what you can do one day at a time.B次元官网网址�
Congratulatory letters from other SFU staff members were read to Valerie Bob in her room.
From Dr. Roxanne Panchasi, graduate program chair for Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies and associate dean-academic, Graduate Studies: B次元官网网址淎fter reviewing your body of work in the PhD program, your thesis supervisor Dr. Marianne Ignace concluded that you have made a significant contribution to your field, particularly with respect to the preservation of the HulB次元官网网址檘B次元官网网址檜miB次元官网网址檔umB次元官网网址� language. I am delighted that the university has awarded you the PhD in honour of all that you have accomplished. I also understand that Dr. Ignace will be looking to ways to ensure that the scholarly and wider community is able to learn from your work into the future.B次元官网网址�
虛Dr. Marianne Ignace is Valerie BobB次元官网网址檚 supervisor and director, Indigenous Languages Program and Distinguished Professor, Linguistics and Indigenous Studies whoB次元官网网址檚 currently in Tutume Village, Botswana, Africa. She wrote: B次元官网网址淚 am so proud and humbled by your accomplishments throughout your lifetime and as you were working on your PhD, researching and writing about the language, cultures, songs, prayers and stories of your people in Hul虛 q虛B次元官网网址檜m谋虛B次元官网网址檔um虛 . This is a well-deserved degree. In mind, spirit and words, your work will leave a deep and long-lasting legacy.B次元官网网址�
From Dr. Ron Ignace, commissioner of Indigenous Languages, also via Botswana: B次元官网网址淵our work will always help your relatives and future generations so that they will not forget the knowledge of your ancestors, and this is how you will help your people forever!B次元官网网址�
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