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 she含羞草研究社檚 bed-ridden with terminal cancer. That含羞草研究社檚 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 Tribe含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淭his is the first PhD conferred in this manner at SFU,含羞草研究社� 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.
含羞草研究社淭his celebration would not be happening as it is unfolding if someone had not decided that it was time to step 含羞草研究社榦ut of the box,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 acknowledged Harris.
It was indeed a poignant ceremony that touched upon everyone含羞草研究社檚 heartstrings given Bob含羞草研究社檚 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 Bachelor含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淒ating back at least 800 years, it was symbolic of a learned individual, and likely modelled after robes worn by monks,含羞草研究社� Agnes pointed out. 含羞草研究社淚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 individual含羞草研究社檚 back where the colours, and by extension, the university, is displayed.含羞草研究社�
The regalia was prominently displayed on a chair in Bob含羞草研究社檚 home while family members and the university representatives spoke about her.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e been working with her during her PhD program,含羞草研究社� said Christian, associate director for Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy in Graduate Studies. 含羞草研究社淲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.含羞草研究社�
Christian said it含羞草研究社檚 a role she takes most earnestly and a plan for the historic day was put into action and evolved over time.
含羞草研究社淰al was in a precarious situation with her health,含羞草研究社� Christian noted. 含羞草研究社淗ow do we make sure she gets her degree? I had to do things outside the usual boxes.含羞草研究社�
That含羞草研究社檚 where she said Agnes came in for the many things he does within the boxes at the university.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 just so glad we were able to do this,含羞草研究社� said Christian. 含羞草研究社淚 don含羞草研究社檛 have words. I know how much it meant to her because we talked about that.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淭his was an interesting opportunity for us,含羞草研究社� added Agnes, associate dean of Graduate Studies. 含羞草研究社淚t was easy for me because Dorothy said 含羞草研究社楪eorge, you need to do this.含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫
含羞草研究社淒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,含羞草研究社� Agnes pointed out.
含羞草研究社淭his is the perfect example of what our mom told us,含羞草研究社� said Harris. 含羞草研究社淢y mom said know everything about who you are and never forget who your family is.含羞草研究社�
Bob was surrounded by family for the special occasion while she listened from her adjoining bedroom.
含羞草研究社淪o thankful to have this opportunity to join her where she含羞草研究社檚 at to celebrate her hard work,含羞草研究社� said Cowichan Tribes Chief Lydia Hwitsum, who was there in a family member capacity as a cousin.
含羞草研究社淎ll our lives we含羞草研究社檝e been inseparable,含羞草研究社� said friend Loretta Cook. 含羞草研究社淲e had fun together. I含羞草研究社檓 very glad to be here today. It含羞草研究社檚 a treasured moment, an honoured moment to be here to witness what含羞草研究社檚 happening.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淭here was some big struggles,含羞草研究社� said Cecelia Elliott, who served as Penelakut Tribe含羞草研究社檚 education co-ordinator for 18 years. 含羞草研究社淰al wholeheartedly knew she was going to make a better place for her children, her grandchildren, her people.含羞草研究社�
含羞草研究社淲hat a great role model she is for her children and the babies that are coming up,含羞草研究社� added sister Fran Bob. 含羞草研究社淥ur late mom was always encouraging to get an education.含羞草研究社�
She praised Val含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 really proud of my mom for her accomplishments,含羞草研究社� said an emotional Sophia. 含羞草研究社淪he went through a hard time for a long time with just me. She always told me you含羞草研究社檙e home now, just do what you can do one day at a time.含羞草研究社�
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: 含羞草研究社淎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 Hul含羞草研究社檘含羞草研究社檜mi含羞草研究社檔um含羞草研究社� 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.含羞草研究社�
虛Dr. Marianne Ignace is Valerie Bob含羞草研究社檚 supervisor and director, Indigenous Languages Program and Distinguished Professor, Linguistics and Indigenous Studies who含羞草研究社檚 currently in Tutume Village, Botswana, Africa. She wrote: 含羞草研究社淚 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虛含羞草研究社檜m谋虛含羞草研究社檔um虛 . This is a well-deserved degree. In mind, spirit and words, your work will leave a deep and long-lasting legacy.含羞草研究社�
From Dr. Ron Ignace, commissioner of Indigenous Languages, also via Botswana: 含羞草研究社淵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!含羞草研究社�
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