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 she91裸聊视频檚 bed-ridden with terminal cancer. That91裸聊视频檚 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 Tribe91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淭his is the first PhD conferred in this manner at SFU,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淭his celebration would not be happening as it is unfolding if someone had not decided that it was time to step 91裸聊视频榦ut of the box,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� acknowledged Harris.
It was indeed a poignant ceremony that touched upon everyone91裸聊视频檚 heartstrings given Bob91裸聊视频檚 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 Bachelor91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淒ating back at least 800 years, it was symbolic of a learned individual, and likely modelled after robes worn by monks,91裸聊视频� Agnes pointed out. 91裸聊视频淚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 individual91裸聊视频檚 back where the colours, and by extension, the university, is displayed.91裸聊视频�
The regalia was prominently displayed on a chair in Bob91裸聊视频檚 home while family members and the university representatives spoke about her.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been working with her during her PhD program,91裸聊视频� said Christian, associate director for Indigenous Policy & Pedagogy in Graduate Studies. 91裸聊视频淲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.91裸聊视频�
Christian said it91裸聊视频檚 a role she takes most earnestly and a plan for the historic day was put into action and evolved over time.
91裸聊视频淰al was in a precarious situation with her health,91裸聊视频� Christian noted. 91裸聊视频淗ow do we make sure she gets her degree? I had to do things outside the usual boxes.91裸聊视频�
That91裸聊视频檚 where she said Agnes came in for the many things he does within the boxes at the university.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just so glad we were able to do this,91裸聊视频� said Christian. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 have words. I know how much it meant to her because we talked about that.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭his was an interesting opportunity for us,91裸聊视频� added Agnes, associate dean of Graduate Studies. 91裸聊视频淚t was easy for me because Dorothy said 91裸聊视频楪eorge, you need to do this.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淒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,91裸聊视频� Agnes pointed out.
91裸聊视频淭his is the perfect example of what our mom told us,91裸聊视频� said Harris. 91裸聊视频淢y mom said know everything about who you are and never forget who your family is.91裸聊视频�
Bob was surrounded by family for the special occasion while she listened from her adjoining bedroom.
91裸聊视频淪o thankful to have this opportunity to join her where she91裸聊视频檚 at to celebrate her hard work,91裸聊视频� said Cowichan Tribes Chief Lydia Hwitsum, who was there in a family member capacity as a cousin.
91裸聊视频淎ll our lives we91裸聊视频檝e been inseparable,91裸聊视频� said friend Loretta Cook. 91裸聊视频淲e had fun together. I91裸聊视频檓 very glad to be here today. It91裸聊视频檚 a treasured moment, an honoured moment to be here to witness what91裸聊视频檚 happening.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭here was some big struggles,91裸聊视频� said Cecelia Elliott, who served as Penelakut Tribe91裸聊视频檚 education co-ordinator for 18 years. 91裸聊视频淰al wholeheartedly knew she was going to make a better place for her children, her grandchildren, her people.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲hat a great role model she is for her children and the babies that are coming up,91裸聊视频� added sister Fran Bob. 91裸聊视频淥ur late mom was always encouraging to get an education.91裸聊视频�
She praised Val91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 really proud of my mom for her accomplishments,91裸聊视频� said an emotional Sophia. 91裸聊视频淪he went through a hard time for a long time with just me. She always told me you91裸聊视频檙e home now, just do what you can do one day at a time.91裸聊视频�
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: 91裸聊视频淎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 Hul91裸聊视频檘91裸聊视频檜mi91裸聊视频檔um91裸聊视频� 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.91裸聊视频�
虛Dr. Marianne Ignace is Valerie Bob91裸聊视频檚 supervisor and director, Indigenous Languages Program and Distinguished Professor, Linguistics and Indigenous Studies who91裸聊视频檚 currently in Tutume Village, Botswana, Africa. She wrote: 91裸聊视频淚 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91裸聊视频檜m谋虛91裸聊视频檔um虛 . This is a well-deserved degree. In mind, spirit and words, your work will leave a deep and long-lasting legacy.91裸聊视频�
From Dr. Ron Ignace, commissioner of Indigenous Languages, also via Botswana: 91裸聊视频淵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!91裸聊视频�
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