Prince George, BC – Xeni Gwet’in Chief Roger William and former UNBC President Dr. Charles Jago are scheduled to receive honorary degrees at the 2015 convocation at UNBC’s Prince George campus on May 29.

Chief William was at the centre of the historic Aboriginal land title case decided by the Supreme Court in 2014 and has been a lifelong advocate for the preservation of the traditional Tsilhqot’in way of life. William filed what became known as the Chief Roger William Aboriginal Rights and Title Case with the Supreme Court of British Columbia in 1990, the same year as the establishment of UNBC. On June 26, 2014, a unanimous Supreme Court of Canada decision recognized for the first time that an Aboriginal group in Canada had proven title over a tract of land.

Chief William has also been an active board member with the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training and Education Council since 1990 and served on the RCMP E Division Commanding Officer’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee from 1990 to 2003. Since 2011 he has represented the West Chilcotin electoral area on the Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors.

Dr. Jago served as UNBC President from 1995 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2009,  overseeing a period of tremendous growth at the University. He is a passionate advocate for Northern issues and was instrumental in the establishment of the Northern Medical Program. He played a large role in the development of the Northern Sport Centre, a facility that was named in his honour when it opened in 2007.

Dr. Jago holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from Western University in London, Ont., and a PhD in History from Cambridge University. Jago is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of British Columbia, and has also received the Golden Jubilee and Diamond Jubilee medals. Currently, Dr. Jago serves as the Board Chair of Northern Health.

William is scheduled to receive his degree during the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences ceremony during the morning convocation celebration and Jago is slated to be presented with his degree during the College of Science and Management ceremony in the afternoon.

In addition to the ceremony in Prince George, UNBC is scheduled to hold convocation ceremonies in Gitwinksihlkw on June 1, Terrace on June 2, Quesnel on June 4, and Fort St. John on June 5.

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