Dr. Gwen Point received high honours from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Point, Chancellor at UFV, was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at a convocation ceremony on June 10.
Her love for education saw her through the barriers that make thriving in education difficult for Indigenous youth. Point could read by the age fo 6. Her health confined her indoors while other children were out playing. The school librarian would send her books, and Point always looked forward to the regional bookmobile visiting the Sts'ailes First Nation.
“A lot of Indigenous students struggled with education because of cultural differences,” Gwen recalled. “We were raised in an oral tradition, the written word was introduced with the imposed education system.”
Point enjoyed her time being educated in Sts'ailes until her father tragically passed away. She spent Grade 8 near Bellingham in the United States, and completed Grade 9 in Ferndale, Washington. She returned to secondary school in Agassiz, but when faced with persistent discrimination and racism, she was driven to drop out.
After putting school on hold for a few years, she married her husband, Steven, and moved to Skowkale First Nation with a renewed drive to pursue education.
“We both had a passion for learning, but as students and young parents, we struggled financially and barely making ends meet," Point stated.
Point became a hairdresser while Steven attended law school. She ultimately left the job to attend Fraser Valley College.
“Then Betty Urquhart, one of the instructors, told me I could graduate high school by writing my GED, so I did," she stated.
Point took university-level courses and enroled in UBC's Indigenous education program and took the first two year's at FVC's Chilliwack campus. She ultimately returned to Sts'ailes, this time to teach at the community school.
Point would move on to work as an Indigenous Support Teacher in the Chilliwack School District and education manager for the Sto:lo First Nation.
“The BC government said that school districts would have to consult with First Nations about how funds designated for Indigenous children were used,” Point recalled. “I’d seen a lot of racism and discrimination, and I wanted to support First Nation students to be successful in the education system.”
Point returned to teaching at the School of Social Work and UFV's history department, continuing to work part-time as her husband Steven served as Lieutenant Governor of B.C.
Point was called to UFV to serve as a Chancellor, which is a volunteer role as the ceremonial head of the university. The new position meant Point would have to give up teaching, but she felt it was important to accept the offer.
“I believe that Indigenous young people need to see one of their own in roles like this. It’s important to inspire them, and being seen in a role like Chancellor can do so without words, just by being in that space.”
Point said she accepted the degree on behalf of her whole community.
"I thank the University of the Fraser Valley for this honour. Our Elders share that, when you stand up one of us for praise and recognition, you are standing us all up. For me, that includes my family, my community and my Nation," Point stated.
Locals may recognize two of Point's daughters. Christine Seymour now works as the District Principal for Indigenous Education for the Fraser-Cascade School District 78. A'aliya Warbus now serves as the MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake.
