April 27, 2018
UBC is pleased to announce that Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond has been appointed as the inaugural Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre and as a professor with the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
Ms. Turpel-Lafond, or Aki-kwe, is recognized internationally for her pioneering work as British Columbia’s first Representative for Children and Youth. As a lawyer and provincial judge, Ms.Turpel-Lafond has also been involved in projects relating to improving supports for Indigenous peoples, especially in addressing the unique circumstances and needs of children and youth involved in the justice system.
Ms. Turpel-Lafond is Cree and Scottish with kinship ties in First Nations in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. During her decade of advocacy for children and youth, she worked with First Nations and Métis families and communities across BC. She has deep connections with Elders, individuals and community leaders working to address the legacy of residential schools for children and youth today by reforming child welfare, language revitalization and criminal justice innovation.
As Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, Ms. Turpel-Lafond will ensure that the centre provides residential school survivors access to the records gathered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).
The Director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre will report to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Turpel-Lafond to this important role.
