UBC has announced 18 recipients of honorary degrees for its upcoming commencement ceremonies at the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
UBC confers honorary degrees—the highest honours conferred by the university—to deserving individuals who have made substantial contributions to society.
Recognized individuals include Dr. Bonnie Henry, noted author Esi Edugyan and activist Greta Thunberg, as well as Elders from the Secwpmc, Cowichan and Okanagan Nations.
- Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band of the Okanagan Nation, who has consistently emphasized economic development as a means to improve his people’s standard of living
- Garry Merkel, a member of the Tahltan Nation, who has had a long-term interest in the culturally relevant education of Indigenous peoples
- Elder Jessie Nyberg, a member of the Canoe Creek Band of the Secwepmc (Shuswap) Nation, a traditional Indigenous and academic scholar, and visionary leader and community builder
- Elder Roberta Price, a member of the Coast Salish Snuneymuxw and Cowichan Nations, who has been instrumental in helping to create shared spaces for both Indigenous and Western approaches to healing and health for more than 30 years
For the full list of individuals receiving degrees, see the full announcement from UBC News.