June 1, 2005

The flags at the University of Northern British Columbia are currently flying at half-mast in memory of Perry Shawana, a professor in the First Nations Studies program, who passed away early this morning.  He passed away in Victoria from an apparent heart attack.

June 1, 2005

The flags at the University of Northern British Columbia are currently flying at half-mast in memory of Perry Shawana, a professor in the First Nations Studies program, who passed away early this morning.  He passed away in Victoria from an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Shawana was on a study leave from his position as a professor in the First Nations Studies program. He established himself as a significant contributor to local First Nations initiatives related to self-determination and self government structures. He played instrumental roles in establishing Carrier Sekani Family Services, the Lake Babine Family and Child Services Agency, the Aboriginal Child Care Society of BC, and related community initiatives. He was instrumental in creating the University’s new programs in the Aboriginal Health Sciences and Family Mediation, together with Carrier Sekani Family Services and UNBC Continuing Studies. Mr. Shawana had been a principal researcher on two major national projects related to aboriginal child care services, a tribunal member on the BC Children’s Commission since 1997, advisor to the First Nations Summit on child welfare matters, and advisor to the Lake Babine Nation Treaty Team. In addition, he practiced law with a specialization in criminal, family, and civil litigation with an emphasis on Aboriginal issues in the law.  He had been pursuing a Master of Law degree at the University of Victoria and had plans to complete a doctoral degree.

Mr. Shawana was Anishnabe/Ojibway from the Serpent River First Nation of Ontario. He joined UNBC in 2000 as Chair of the First Nations Studies program.

“Perry was an outstanding colleague who truly understood the importance of education for improving the quality of life of aboriginal people,” says Paul Michel, Acting Chair of First Nations Studies and Coordinator of the University’s First Nations Centre. “His family is very well-known in the areas of education, politics, child and family rights, and aboriginal health – it is in these areas that Perry also excelled. The University will miss his wisdom, outgoing personality, and commitment. UNBC – and the entire North – is a better place because of his contributions.”