File 2008.3.1.201 - University of Northern British Columbia Convocation, May 26, 1995

• Moving images

2 videocassettes (1 hr., 3 min.) : chrome dioxide, original, SP, col.

File consists of 2 VHS tapes: Tape 1 of 2008.3.1.201 is a video-recording of the UNBC May 1995 Convocation at UNBC held in the Canfor Room; however, Tape 2 of 2008.3.1.201 is a continuation of the TV broadcast from which Tape 1 was recorded. This broadcast continued on to feature footage of the “Oka Crisis”. This footage may comprise background material for future writing; or may simply have been the result of letting a VHS cassette tape continue recording.

Videocassette Summary

• Context: Video-recording of the UNBC May 1995 Convocation at UNBC held in the Canfor Room.

Highlights include:

• 00’03” Chancellor Iona Campognolo leads the signing of ‘O Canada’ with audience
• Follows with a prayer of incantation by the Reverend
• Welcome by President Geoffrey Weller. Weller outlines the brief history of UNBC and notes it is his final convocation as President and plans to return to teaching
• Chancellor Campognolo addresses the audience and thanks Weller for his time as President; the Chancellor congratulates the 10 graduates being honoured today
• 11’05” The Chancellor notes that 3 British Columbians are to receive honorary degrees today: Bertram ‘Victor’ McCabe of the Musk’wa People; Bridget Moran, writer of Stoney Creek Woman, historian Margaret Orsmby are to receive honorary degrees from UNBC
• 17’05” Dr. Robin Fisher, Acting Dean of Arts & Sciences introduces first honorary degree recipient historian Margaret Orsmby
• 23’28” Dr. Mary Helen Kelm, History Department introduces honorary degree recipient Bridget Moran Dr. Kelm discusses Bridget’s role as a social worker who brought about understanding of Carrier culture
• Best embodies ‘Community-centered’ approach
• Served in the Navy; Received her B.A. from University of Toronto in 1950
• Began career in social work in Prince George advocating for welfare recipients putting her career on the line
• Introduced to Bridget through the stories of Mary John and Justa Monk
• Kelm notes of Bridget “My relationship with the First Nations has made all the difference in my life” – Kelm notes of her “strong commitment to social change”
• 28’14” Bridget receives her degree; signs the guest book;
• Videotape recording continues with the remainder of the convocation ceremony
• 30’00” Dr. Jim McDonald, Chair of Anthropology introduces the third honorary degree recipient Elder Bert McKay, founder of the School District 92 First Nations Nisga’a, founding member of the Native Teachers Association.
• Followed by UNBC students receiving their degrees
• 35’36” President Geoffrey R. Weller introduces Bridget Moran to address the graduates
• 35’48” Bridget Moran gives a speech to the graduates of UNBC
• Bridget gives a talk – focusing on positive changes and negative change that requires still more movement
• She notes that positive change has occurred in the area of education for women whereas when she attempted to be accepted into graduate school at the University of Toronto in 1946, after her discharge from the navy in 1946, women were not encouraged into graduate studies in history
• Bridget notes that no financial support was offered to her from the Department of Veteran Affairs for studies towards a graduate degree in history; women were being encouraged to enter traditional field: teaching, nursing and social work. Bridget compares that with changes today wherein there is an abundance of women in history including she notes Dr. Mary Ellen Kelm and honorary degree recipient Margaret Ormsby
• Bridget notes that education was not forthcoming in the past for Native People; as Justa Monk noted to her; Monk noted that the federal government inflicted most harm in field of education for Native people
• Bridget discusses the struggle of Native peoples with education, including both struggles to acquire an elementary and high school education, let alone university – a Carrier graduate from a university did not occur until the late 1960s
• Bridget talks about the lack of a school in Stoney Creek as noted by Mary John and the residential school tragedy;
• Bridget talks about positive change with start of more Native People attending university
• Bridget addresses the graduates and recommends that they look to creating more positive changes - and not to fall for the old adage that one person can’t make change. Bridget refers to a talisman that she relied on from the past – and refers to a cartoon in the syndicated column from the 1940s - of two cats ‘Alex & Henrietta?’ and that the female cat’s incantation was ‘choose your day; choose your day, choose your day - what the heck; what the heck; what the heck – and ‘there’s a dance left in the old babe yet’
• 47:13 Bridget’s speech finishes
• Videotape continues with the remainder of the ceremony
• 28:52 Ceremony finishes with procession of graduates and faculty out of hall
• 63’00” Recording ends