UNBC to hand out three honorary degrees to Indigenous community members in fall’s graduate celebration

Three members of the northern Indigenous community will be receiving honorary degrees at UNBC’s fall graduate celebration.

Natan Obed

Natan Obed is the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) President, an organization responsible for “protecting and advancing the rights and interests of Inuit in Canada,” according to a release from UNBC.

He has been the president for three terms , some issues he has tackled include suicide prevention, climate change, and advocating for Inuit rights.

“I am humbled to receive this award and offer my sincere thanks to the University of Northern British Columbia. I take great pride in working for Inuit, and for advancing awareness of the realities of Inuit Nunangat, throughout my entire career,” Obed said. “To be recognized for this work by my northern peers is a tremendous honour.”

Warner Adam

Adam is the CEO of Carrier Sekani Family Services and a member of the Lake Babine Nation.

He has collaborated with multiple UNBC staff members, addressing differences in health care between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and fighting to reshape health care.

He was also an executive director of For Love, a movie that came out in 2021.

“I am deeply grateful to be selected for this honorary degree and must acknowledge that I owe this privilege to all the Elders that guided me in setting the stage to re-build our Nations and communities. This work can be challenging but our collective efforts have created space for cultural understanding and shared knowledge,” Adam said.

Ron Sebastian

Sebastian is a northwest coast Indigenous artist whose artwork has been a part of UNBC since the very start.

He designed the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s ceremonial chairs, the carved Senate doors, and the carved Raven found in the Rotunda Gallery.

“I am honoured to be a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws degree from UNBC,” says Sebastian. “I am proud of the important relationship I continue to hold with this institution.” 

All three of these honorary degrees will be presented in a ceremony on October 21st, which will also see Chancellor Elder Darlene McIntosh and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Geoff Payne formally installed.